Five-minute lapse costs Lions in bitter Challenge Cup defeat to Newcastle

LIONS coach Ivan van Rooyen says his players are devastated not to have come away with a win in Saturday's EPCR Challenge Cup round two match against Newcastle Red Bulls, pointing to a five-minute spell before halftime that could have swung the contest their way.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Despite dominating territory, possession and the set piece for long periods at a bitterly cold, wind-lashed Kingston Stadium, the visitors were unable to score during a critical late first-half passage. Newcastle weathered the storm before landing a late knockout blow to clinch a 14-10 victory in the low-scoring encounter.

"Obviously, conditions were tough — really, really windy — something we're not used to. Even then, we created enough opportunities to get the result," Van Rooyen said at the post-match media conference.