Horn double as Emirates Lions overpower Stade Francais
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Wing Quan Horn crossed for a try double as Emirates Lions produced a strong display to beat Stade Français Paris 30-12 in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Friday night.
Andries Coetzee and Ruan Smith also went over for the hosts in Johannesburg, with Jordan Hendrikse adding 10 points from the tee as they remain undefeated in Pool B.
Stade Français were no pushovers in a particularly physical contest and dotted down for tries through James Hall and Léo Barre, but they were unable to make it two wins from two in this season’s competition.
Emirates Lions enjoyed a fruitful first half, with fly-half Hendrikse nudging an early penalty before his excellent flat pass put Horn over in the corner for his first score on 17 minutes.
And after another Hendrikse penalty extended their advantage, more slick handling from the hosts saw Horn dot down again on 27 minutes.
However, Stade Français ended the half on top and scrum-half Hall eventually found a way over the whitewash courtesy of a clever dummy five metres out.
The game was as physical as ever following the restart, but it wouldn’t be until the hour mark when further points were scored – Emirates Lions produced more fantastic rugby to release full-back Coetzee, replacement centre Rynhardt Jonker creating the score with a surge through midfield.
Fly-half Barre finished well on 70 minutes to give Stade Français faint hope of late comeback, but replacement prop Smith powered over moments later to wrap up Emirates Lions’ win and secure the bonus point for his side.
Emirates Lions and Stade Français go head-to-head again in Round 3, with the South African side travelling to Stade Jean Bouin on January 14.