GB & Ireland Students had the perfect preparation for the second match of their three game tour today (Wednesday) against South Africa Student champions TUKS, after cruising past a Western Cape Invitational XIII 60-0 in their opener in Cape Town.
The match was played at the Garden Tech Fields in Montreal Avenue, Oranjezicht which has a majestic view of Table Mountain and attracted a crowd of over 500, the Cape hosting a representative game for the first time in a decade.
Tom Hughes opened the scoring for the tourists with an unconverted try on the right in the sixth minute; Lewys Weaver and livewire hooker Josh Dixon increasing it, Chris Atkin with his first goal to make it 14-0.Billy Griffiths then went in and, following sterling work from Iain Murray, Tom Hall crossed, Atkin goaling both for a 26-0 interval lead in the heat.
Western Cape had a spell of concerted pressure at the start of the second period but GB scrambled well to keep their line in-tact, and hit back with three quick tries from Weaver and a brace for captain Blake Mahovic although Atkin was unsuccessful with the boot, taking the score to 38-0.
A fine cut out pass sent in Dan Parker to increase the lead, Atkin goaling; Jordan Sheridan’s long run releasing Mahovc for his hat trick.
In the 73rd minute, GB scored the pick of their dozen touchdowns with a free flowing move which saw eight players handle to release Osian Phillips to score between the posts, Weaver converting.
GB were not finished and a barnstorming run from Harrison Elliott saw him fend off three would-be tacklers to score, Griffiths adding the extras.
Post-match, the Lions were treated to a traditional South Africa Braai (barbeque) and thanked their hosts for the superb hospitality shown throughout their stay in Cape Town.
After visiting Table Mountain, shark diving and surfing, the GB Lions now move on to their second leg of the tour in Johannesburg where they take on the South African National Club Champions TUKS before the Test match.
The Lions will take on TUKS at Groenkloof Stadium on Wednesday, 17 September 2014 at 17h30.
The Test Match against the SARL Student Side is scheduled for the same venue on Saturday 20 September 2014 at 16h00