The Dragons suffered their sixth defeat of the Rugby United Championship campaign when the Lions lost 49-24 in Johannesburg. Despite Ruben Schoeman’s red card in the 26th minute, the Lions won the extra point.

Center Henko van Wyk, defender Quan Horn, winger Edwill van der Merwe (two), scrum-half Morne van den Berg and number eight Franke Horn scored tries, while midfielder Sanele Nohamba kicked five conversions and three penalties for 19. – push point.

The Dragons had their moments (particularly impressive tries from winger Harry Caddy, winger Ashton Hewitt and hooker Bradley Roberts) with Will Reid adding a penalty and three conversions, but the defensive weaknesses were mercilessly exposed by the Lions’ fluid form.

The Dragons, beaten 69-14 by the Sharks in Durban last weekend, produced a magnificent response after Rhodri Williams was booked five minutes from time for a deliberate challenge.

Center Aneurin Owen broke deep into his own half before Welsh defender Aaron Wainwright recovered the ball cleanly, leading to Caddy landing and Reid converting.

The Dragons showed a lot of adventure, but seven minutes later they were defeated by a powerful strike that allowed van Wyk to run 60 meters to the goal unopposed.

Nohamba put the Lions ahead with a 22nd-minute penalty, but Schoeman was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Hewitt.

However, that mattered little to the Lions’ ambition, which was beautifully illustrated when they attacked from behind the line, with winger Richard Creel breaking through the middle before Quan Horne finished in style.

Nohamba converted, but Reid kept the Dragons in touch with a penalty in the 39th minute, reducing the lead to 18-10. The Dragons made a poor start to the second period, seeing Roberts condemned for a deliberate trip before their defense was unlocked when winger Rio Dyer slipped and van der Merwe touched down and Nohamba converted.

The Welsh team needed a quick response and it came thanks to Hewitt who started and finished a flowing move and Reid’s conversion brought them back within striking distance, only for Nohamba to concede another penalty.

Missed tackles led to the Lions going for the bonus point as Kriel brought down van den Berg and Nohamba again added the extras before Roberts’ effort was too little, too late as Franke Horne and Van der Merwe completed the scoring.