WP brush aside Kings

Published Oct 9, 2015

Share

Cape Town - Western Province confirmed their place in the 2015 Currie Cup play-offs with a 45-14 bonus-point win over coastal rivals Eastern Province Kings at Newlands on Friday evening.

Province have finished third on the final regular season log but they could have ended up one notch higher if the Blue Bulls had suffered defeat against the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium. As it turned out, the Bulls won 25-24 and will finish behind unbeaten log-leaders Golden Lions. The outcome of Saturday’s two matches will have no bearing on the final placings of the three top teams.

Province will now travel to Loftus Versfeld next week for their play-off clash against the Bulls.

The EP Kings were under the whip right at the start when Province prised open their defence and eighthman Nizaam Carr streaked through for his eighth Currie Cup try in the second minute. Flyhalf Robert du Preez goaled the conversion and then he and Kings fullback Scott van Breda traded penalties soon afterwards for a 10-3 scoreline after 16 minutes.

Province were giving away numerous penalties and Van Breda exploited the advantage to reduce the lead to one point by converting two penalties after 27 minutes’ play.

Godlen Masimla, the Province No 9 was having a useful game at the base of the scrum and he set one try and made another before the halftime. First he fed centre Juan de Jongh with a scoring pass off the deck and then he scythed through the Kings defence to round off a solo effort. Du Preez was on target with both conversion attempts.

Towards the end of the half, Kings’ scrumhalf Enrico Acker snatched his side’s first try when he sold the Province defence a dummy from five metres out. The conversion was off target and the teams changed ends with Province leading by 10 points (24-14).

Province treated the 8 000-strong crowd to a two-try burst when they returned for second-half play. First fullback Dillyn Leyds dotted down and then a driving maul was rounded off by replacement loosie Justin Benn. Du Preez and his replacement Kurt Coleman goaled the conversions (38-14.)

In the remaining 20 minutes play. Province had ample opportunity to add to their scoreline but a lone try by Leyds, he’s second, offered scant reward.

Scores:

Western Province38 (24): Tries: Nizaam Carr, Juan de Jongh, Godlen Masimla, Dillyn Leyds (2), Justin Benn. Conversions: Robert du Preez (4), Kurt Coleman (2). Penalty: Du Preez

Eastern Province Kings14 (14): Trys: Enrico Acker. Penalties: Scott van Breda (3)

African News Agency

Related Topics: