It was a matter of centimetres for the Lions as they fell agonisingly short of a famous victory in the Vodacom URC.

Winger Angelo Davids almost stole it at the death, but it wasn’t to be as the Lions were held to a dramatic 24-24 draw by the Ospreys in a rain-lashed clash in Bridgend on Friday night.

With time up, the Lions launched one final assault and looked to have the match-winning moment when flyhalf Chris Smith grubbered into the in-goal area. Davids was first to arrive, but the ball squirmed free in the greasy conditions, allowing the hosts to escape.

Instead, the Lions had to settle for a share of the spoils and three valuable log points after crossing for four tries and fighting back from a difficult first half.

The visitors started with intent, dominating territory early, and their pressure paid off in the ninth minute when skipper Francke Horn finished off a slick move down the left to open the scoring.

The Ospreys gradually worked their way into the contest and hit back through flank James Ratti, who powered over from close range before flyhalf Dan Edwards’ conversion nudged the hosts into a 7-5 lead.

The home side were dealt a blow midway through the half when captain Dewi Lake was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, but they showed impressive composure while down to 14 men.

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That patience was rewarded in the 34th minute as fullback Iestyn Hopkins dotted down in the corner following a long, looping pass.

Momentum then swung further the Ospreys’ way when Lions prop SJ Kotze was sent to the sin-bin late in the half, and No 8 Morgan Morris capitalised moments later with a maul-driven try.

Horn ensured the Lions stayed in touch before the break, crashing over for his second after sustained pressure inside the 22. Smith’s conversion cut the deficit to 19-12 at half-time.

With the wind now at their backs, the Lions struck early in the second half. Hooker PJ Botha sniped over from a rolling maul, although Smith was unable to add the extras.

The turnover is made and the Lions charge straight to the try line 🦁🔴

Quan Horn earns a bonus-point try for the Lions 💪

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The visitors sensed an opening when lock Rhys Davies was yellow-carded for head contact in the 53rd minute, and they made it count shortly afterwards. Fullback Quan Horn read a Richard Kriel chip to perfection before sprinting away to give the Lions the lead, with Smith converting.

The Ospreys refused to go quietly and responded through former Cheetahs wing Daniel Kasende, though the difficult conversion attempt drifted wide.

Another twist followed when Lions replacement lock Etienne Oosthuizen was sin-binned, giving the hosts a late chance to win it. Edwards missed a long-range penalty in the 79th minute and then failed to land a drop goal.

OSPREYS – Tries: James Ratti, Iestyn Hopkins, Morgan Morris, Daniel Kasende. Conversions: Dan Edwards (2).
LIONS – Tries: Francke Horn (2), PJ Botha, Quan Horn. Conversions: Chris Smith (2).

Photo: Chris Fairweather/Gallo Images