Lions' Challenge Cup hopes end in heartbreak as Perpignan snatch late draw

The Gauteng side needed victory to advance to the knockout stages, but despite dominating long spells and leading for much of the contest, they were unable to land the decisive blow, as Perpignan fought back from a 10-point deficit to snatch a draw that proved enough to send them through at the Lions' expense.

Perpignan struck first through Antoine Aucagne's early penalty, but Chris Smith soon leveled the scores, before sustained pressure paid dividends when a powerful maul forced the hosts into a cynical collapse, resulting in a penalty try that gave the Lions a 10-3 advantage.

Perpignan responded through a strong run from number eight Joaquin Oviedo, whose converted try levelled matters at 10-10 by half-time.

The Lions regained control after the break, with Smith's boot and a dominant scrum laying the platform for a second maul try, BJ Botha finishing off a steady drive to restore an eight-point cushion. Smith added the conversion to extend the lead to 20-10 as the visitors looked poised to close out the contest.

However, Perpignan rallied late. Wing Filipo Duguivalu crashed over out wide following sustained forward pressure, and Aucagne's conversion narrowed the gap before the flyhalf levelled the scores with a penalty seven minutes from time.

With the clock in the red, the Lions earned one final chance to snatch victory, opting for an attacking lineout rather than a long-range shot at goal. They drove relentlessly through phase after phase, but Perpignan refused to crack and were rewarded when the visitors were penalised for not releasing in the tackle, ending the Lions' hopes.

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