Cape Town - 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, after leading 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 Fouché 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).
Scorers:
Western Province 24 (15): Tries: Dillyn Leyds, Huw Jones, Jano Vermaak. Conversion: Robert du Preez. Penalties: Du Preez (4)
Blue Bulls 14 (9): Try: Travis Ismaiel. Penalties: Louis Fouché (3)
ANA