Western Province book home Currie Cup final

Western Province earned a home Currie Cup final at Newlands when they beat the Blue Bulls 31-23 in their Currie Cup Semi-final.

The result means that Western Province will host the Golden Lions next weekend in the 2014 Currie Cup final.

The result is Western Province’s third victory over the Blue Bulls this season and puts them into a third consecutive Currie Cup final.

Western Province again proved the masters of opportunism when they snatched
three first-half tries which set up the victory.

The fleet-footed Province fullback Cheslin Kolbe scored two of the three tries
and proved the death knell for the visiting Bulls in the end. Province will
now host the Golden Lions in next week’s final, also at Newlands.

Despite their best efforts, the Bulls did not appear as though they would haul
in Province’s 15-point half-time lead (25-10) especially as their best attacking
efforts were thwarted by the home side’s resolute defence.

A second-minute scrum penalty against the Bulls allowed Province to draw first
blood when their sharp-shooter flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis goaled from 35 metres
out .

After seeing off a number of Bulls attacks, the ball spun free at a breakdown
collision some 15 metres inside Province territory.

The ball was recycled to Seabelo Senatla, the Province leftwing, and he sprinted
40 metres down the touchline before he was stopped by the cover defence. However,
the Bulls’ defence were at loss to prevent a score by fullback Cheslin Kolbe
once the ball was faultlessly relayed across the face of the red zone.

Catrakilis’ conversion attempt failed but Province held an 8-0 lead after 11
minutes play.

Bulls pivot Jacques-Louis Potgieter reduced the deficit five minutes later
with a penalty, but Catrakilis soon restored the 8-point lead with his second
penalty .

At this stage of the match Province eighthman Nizaam Carr suffered a hip injury
and he was forced to leave the field. He was replaced by Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

The Bulls try did to mix their attacks with tactical kicks but it Province
who fared better in this regard when a grubber kick was collected by their right
wing Kobus van Wyk, who fed Kolbe with a timely scoring pass.

Catrakilis added the conversion.

Province were making the most of limited possession at this stage of the game,
and a 37th minute raid into the opposition’s 22 metre area paid dividends.

The Bulls were blown up for illegal scrumming and Province number nine Nic
Groom took a quick tap quick before darting in to score a converted try.

Bulls prop Dean Greyling steamrolled his way over for a try almost two minutes
after the half-time hooter had sounded. Potgieter, who had earlier missed three
goalable kicks, nailed the touchline conversion to round off the first-half
score at 25-10, in favour of Province.

After the break, Potgieter banged over two close-range efforts and Catrakilis
responded with another in the 49th minute and Provinces lead was narrowed to
28-16.

Catrakilis offered a measure of safety with a drop goal six minutes from the
end.

But in the final minute, Bulls reserve prop Callie Visage bulldozed his way
over, Handre Pollard added the conversion for a 31-23 scoreline.

Final Score Western Province 31 (25) Blue Bulls 23 (10)

Scorers

Western Province
Tries – C. Kolbe 2, N. Groom
Pen – D.Catrakilis 3
Con – D.Catrakilis 2
Drop – D.Catrakilis

Blue Bulls
Tries – D.Greyling, C.Visagie
Pen – J.Potigieter 3
Con – J.Potigieter 2
Drop –

Teams