Western Province beat Blue Bulls in Currie Cup

Western Province avenged their first-round loss by defeating the Blue Bulls
29-14 in their Round 7 Currie Cup clash at Newlands on Friday evening having
led 15-9 at the break.

A few weeks ago, the Bulls produced a dramatic second-half display to defeat
Province 47-29 after trailing 16-15 at the break but this time the Loftus Versfeld-outfit
failed to muster a fightback of any proportions in front of the 22 600-strong
crowd.

They did, however, this time keep Province in check in second-half play and
their defence remained intact but by that time the foundation for a victory
had been laid by the home side.

Province’s win meant that the Bulls suffered a second defeat after seven
matches. Their log positions have not changed as the Bulls have an extra bonus
point in second place on 25 points. Province, in third place, have 24 points.

Province made a delightful start to the match as their backs capitalised on
a solid foundation laid by their forwards in the opening stages which proved
particularly testing on the Bulls defence.

With a good supply of front-foot ball making its way to the Province backline
it was just a matter of cracking the defence and when the opportunities opened
up out wide, the Bulls defence leaked two tries in the opening 12 minutes.

Rightwing Dillyn Leyds crossed in the third minute and centre Huw Jones dived
over the second try in the 12th minute. Flyhalf Robert du Preez succeeded with
one conversion to give Province a 12-0 lead.

The visiting Bulls did manage to transfer the pressure and then pinned Province
down in their half for a while without managing to cross the whitewash. The
pressure did, however, cause Province to infringe at various stages and the
Bulls’ No 10 Louis Fouche goaled three penalties which accounted
for all his side’s first-half scoring.

Du Preez goaled a penalty on either side of the break and after 50 minutes’
play Province held an 18-9 lead.

Du Preez stretched the lead further out with two more penalties and at 24-9
the writing was on the wall for the visitors.

Travis Ismaiel, scored the Bulls’ lone try five minutes from the end
and the conversion failed (24-14).

In the dying minutes, substitute scrumhalf Jano Vermaak snatched a third try
(unconverted) for Province to wrap up the scoring in the match (29-14).

Final Score Western Province 24 (15) Blue Bulls 14 (9)

Scorers

Western Province
Tries: Dillyn Leyds, Huw Jones, Jano Vermaak
Conversion: Robert du Preez
Penalties: Du Preez (4)

Blue Bulls
Try: Travis Ismaiel.
Penalties: Louis Fouche (3)

Match Officials
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Teams

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny
Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom (c),
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean
Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Nizaam
Carr, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Kobus van Wyk

Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries
Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Francois
Hougaard, 8 Lappies Labuschagne (c), 7 Roelof Smit, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin
Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre
Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Arno Botha,
20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Jan Serfontein.