Craven Week Results - Day 3
The bright winter’s son was covered by a dull winter’s cloud on the third day of the 2007 Craven Week being played at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch.
It’s the Cape and this is winter and the northwester blows. It blew at Stellenbosch.
Eastern Province vs Leopards, 20-16
The Leopards had the wind in the first half but its speed and effort were not as great as the speed of the Eastern Province backs and the greater power of their pack. Eastern Province were much the better and more adventurous side and it seemed unfair that, even into the wind, they were just 10-6 ahead at the break.
In the first half Luan Steenkamp goaled two penalties and could/should have had more had his kicking been on target.
Eastern Province scored the only try of the half and could have had more with their attacking flair. The try came when little scrumhalf Chuma Faas chipped towards the Leopards’ line. Under pressure the Leopards lost the ball and Rian Arends snatched it up for an easy try for the tall, lean, speedy wing. Louis Kruger converted to make the score 7-3.
A second Steenkamp penalty made the score 7-6 but really it was Eastern Province who looked more likely to score. They eschewed penalty kicks at goal in search of tries but eventually settled for a kick at goal, which Kruger duly goaled. Eastern Province had been heavily penalised throughout the half when on the attack, as was the case in the second half as well.
The Leopards proved that running ball in hand is the ideal tactic into the wind and they looked much better. They scored first in the half when Steenkamp goaled to make the score 10-9.
This state of affairs could not last as EP attacked again and again. Eventually at a free kick for a skew feed at a scrum, they went left and gave eighthman Philip van der Walt room and he swept over for a try which Kruger converted.
With four minutes to go Kruger kicked a penalty which made the score 20-9 for EP.
The Leopards had their best bot of attack after this and scored a try, though it was not at all a well constructed try. The Leopards’ handling failed and gave the EP a defensive scrum. In the first half Chuma Faas had passed a ball back nearly 20 metres over his flyhalf’s head and beyond the dead-ball line. This time he slung the pass infield in his in-goal at an angle where the Leopards replacement, Francois Wolvaardt, playing at centre, raced up and fell on the ball for a try at the posts. Steenkamp converted and the final whistle went.
Scorers:
For Eastern Province:
Tries: Arends, Van der Walt
Cons: Kruger 2
Pens: Kruger 2
For Leopards
Try: Wolvaardt
Con: Steenkamp
Pens: Steenkamp 3
Teams:
Eastern Province: 15 Itaello Cupido, 14 Johannes Engelbrecht, 13 Cameron Jacobs, 12 Enrico Booysen, 11 Rian Arendse, 10 Louis Kruger, 9 Chuma Faas, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Martin Ferreira, 6 Hendrik Linde, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Andre Bezuidenhout, 3 Johan van Niekerk, 2 Casper Lotter, 1 Jakobus Greeff.
Replacements: 16 Mziwamadoda Yako, 17 Francois Hanekom, 18 Maurice Rudman, 19 Gxogxo, 20 Kalvano King, 21 Hayden de Villiers, 22 Garth van Rayner.
Leopards: 15 Williem Nel, 14 Henry Snyman, 13 Sheldon Challens, 12 Luan Steenkamp, 11 Itumeleng Masoko, 10 Paul Fourie, 9 Heinrich Ueckermann, 8 Sybrand Engelbrecht, 7 Daniel Bodenstein, 6 Paballo Molaudi, 5 Janus Beukes, 4 Hendrico Swanepoel,, 3 Jurgens van Vuuren, 2 Zwelethu Tshabalala, 1 Noalin Carols.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Bruce Muller, 18 Molefi Mokone, 19 Dichaba Jass, 20 Francois Wolvaardt, 21 Jason Douwie, 22 Boikanyo Leruele.
Referee: Quinton Immelman (Western Province)
Griffons vs Boland, 24-5
Boland played with the wind as the clouds started to release a gentle rain, but their play with the wind was poor. They tried to run but lined up too flat which meant the wind kept taking the ball away. This negated the promise of their start to the match.
It was poor handling by Boland that produced the first Griffons try. The Boland backs threw one high and slow and the next one low and hard. The ball bounced free and bulky centre Gert van Zyl snapped the ball up and raced away for the try, which Wynand Pienaar converted.
The Griffons got a second try when they pounded at the line and prop Franco Mateus scored near the posts. Pienaar converted. 14-0, which was the half-time score.
In the second half, with the wind, the Griffons put lots of pressure on Boland. They came from right to left and lock Jandre Marais powered over under the crossbar. Pienaar made it 21-0.
Boland got a try, and again it was scrumhalf Frederick Muller, coming on this time as a replacement, who scored, adding to the two he got on the first day. It started when passing amongst the Griffons’ backs broke down and centre Kenwinn Wiener grabbed the ball, made ground and sent Muller scurrying off to the line for the try.
But with four minutes to go Boland were penalised yet again and Pienaar kicked the goal and up on a hillside as you leave Stellenbosch Danie Craven stirred in his grave and wondered at the festival which carries his name. Pienaar goaled it.
The Griffons had another penalty just before the end and actually kicked it out for a five-metre line-out but their attempted maul flopped.
It was the Griffons’ second victory, the Boland’s second defeat.
Scorers
For Griffons
Tries: Van Zyl, Mateus, Jandre Marais
Cons: Pienaar 3
Pen: Pienaar
For Boland
Try: Muller
Teams:
Griffons: 15 Hoffman Maritz, 14 Bongani Qabathe, 13 Gert van Zyl, 12 Branco du Preez, 11 Clinton Wagman, 10 Wynand Pienaar, 9 Justin Claassen, 8 RJ Liebenberg, 7 Eugene Cunha, 6 Mulaleni Khoza, 5 Peet Marais, 4 Jan Marais, 3 Franco Mateus, 2 Johannes Snyman, 1 Daniel van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Alistair Vermaak., 17 Lodewikus van der Linde, 18 Willmar Groenewald, 19 Jean Olivier, 20 Johannes van Vollenhoven, 21 Virgil Russel, 22 Reinie Pietersen.
Boland: 15 Rayno Papier, 14 Cheswill Olivier, 13 Clayton Blommetjies, 12 Kenwinn Wiener, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Louw Heunis, 9 Jannie Newman, 8 Christiaan Blom (captain), 7 Hilton Jonkers, 6 Jacobus Loubser, 5 Rynhardt Elstadt, 4 Duan Burden, 3 Riaan Engelbrecht , 2 Aden Goosen, 1 Heyno Kraft.
Replacements: 16 Jan Smith, 17 Malcolm Pool, 18 Dries Millard, 19 Hugh-Dean Uithaler, 20 Frederick Muller, 21 Ashwell Rentz, 22 Danie Roux.
Referee: Sazi Katiya (Border)
KwaZulu Natal vs South Western Districts, 22-20
As Western Province did to KwaZulu Natal on Monday, so KwaZulu Natal did to South Western Districts on Wednesday, coming from behind to score a try and win in extra time.
South Western Districts were brave and defended but there cause was not helped by two yellow cards for Susane Wesso, which meant a red card. Fourteen could not keep out fifteen forever and the KwaZulu Natal pack had the upper hand in any case.
There were just six minutes left when Brynard Stander scored on the far right after a long attack. From far out Patrick Lambie kicked a perfect conversion to make the score 20-17 to South Western Districts.
Back came KwaZulu Natal with a will. Desperate South Western Districts were penalised for a deliberate knock-on. It was kickable but, bless KwaZulu Natal, they went for touch and the line-out. With a minute to go they mauled. South Western Districts were penalised at the tackle and Wesso was sent off. Bless KwaZulu Natal, they tapped and went for the try and victory. Murray de Bruyn was just short but KwaZulu Natal got the ball back and Stander forced his way over in the left corner. The conversion was missed but the final whistle was the signal for much KwaZulu Natal glee.
South Western Districts scored first when from a scrum CJ Stander played to Wimpie Louw who grubbered with perfect weight into in-goal where Vogan Lourens had an easy job of scoring. From far out left-footed Gerhard Nortier converted from fart out. 7-0.
KwaZulu Natal levelled the scores when they went ahead through many phases and prop Dale Chadwick forced his way over. Lambie converted. 7-7.
A penalty by Nortier gave South Western Districts the lead. KwaZulu Natal could well have scored but the chance was stifled on the left wing by a great tackle by Renier de Villiers.
Carl Marks was close for KwaZulu Natal but still South Western Districts held them out and led 10-7 at the break.
KwaZulu Natal started the second half attacking but the defence was solid and eventually KwaZulu Natal settled for a penalty goal to make the score 10-10.
South Western Districts attacked and won a penalty 20 metres in from touch and 15 metres from the line, Bless South Western Districts, they went for the try. Lock Gerhard Raal charged and laid the ball back. Louw picked up and flipped the ball back inside for Stander who with great strength forced his way through four Natalians for a try under the bar. Nortier converted.
Nortier added a penalty and South Western Districts led 20-10 – till the dramatic last six minutes.
Scorers:
For South Western Districts:
Tries: V Lourens, Stander
Cons: Nortier 2
Pens: Nortier 2
For KwaZulu Natal:
Tries: Chadwick, Stander 2
Cons: Lambie
Pens: Lambie 2
Teams:
KwaZulu Natal: 15 Patrick Lambie , 14 Njabulo Mkhize, 13 Murray de Bruyn, 12 Guy Cronje, 11 Kurt Mavrodaris, 10 Nhlakanipo Mabaso, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Carl Marks, 7 Brynard Stander, 6 Ntsolo Setlaba, 5 Francois Robertse, 4 N Little, 3 Andile Sithebe, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Zabentungwa Zwane, 18 Kene Okafor, 19 Grenville Easthorpe, 20 Cebu Masuku, 21 Xillen van Rooyen, 22 Kwenzakonke Ngema.
South Western Districts: 15 Renier de Villiers, 14 Vogan Lourens, 13 Earl Snyman, 12 Waldo Lategan, 11 Divandre Strydom, 10 Gerhard Nortier, 9 Wimpie Louw, 8 CJ Stander (captain), 7 Nicolaas van Zyl, 6 Susane Wesso, 5 Garrick Mathee, 4 Gerhard Raal, 3 Riaan Kemp, 2 De Wet Dreyer, 1 Johan van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Laylo Delo, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen., 18 Kobus Lourens, 19 Christo du Plessis, 20 Enrico Acker, 21 Leighton Bezuidenhout, 22 Keegan Moses.
Referee: Gerrie Coetzee
Western Province vs Golden Lions, 18-17
Playing into the wind Western Province led 12-11 at the end of the first half after scoring two tries, but with the wind they battled to score against a tough Golden Lions side with its robust pack on a field getting wetter and heavier.
After he had missed two kicks the Golden Lions flyhalf Justin Botha put a display of immaculate goal-kicking which was especially impressive into the wind. He opened the scoring.
Western Province scored the first try when eighthman Nick Koster was clever and sent Johann Sadie linewards. But it was still not easy for the impressive centre who twisted and turned and forced his way over for the try which Jurgen Visser converted.
From the kick-off the Golden Lions were quick in chasing and Western Province conceded yet another penalty which Botha goaled. 7-6 to Western Province after 21 minutes.
The Golden Lions went ahead as they attacked through the phases and strong scrumhalf Westley Moolman sent stronger fullback Damian Janse van Vuuren pounding for the line, past two defenders and over in the corner. 11-7 to Golden Lions.
Koster set up the second Western Province try when he stepped past two defenders and gave to his schoolmate Leigh Bruinders who cut inside a defender to score a try.
That gave Western Province a 12-11 lead in this close match, close right to the final whistle.
Playing with the wind Visser’s kicking was awry till it came to the vital one. He missed a penalty and then tried a drop which bounced along into the bottom of the padding. Janse van Vuuren picked it up and counterattacked for 50 metres. The Golden Lions rumbled on and, inevitably, Western Province conceded a penalty which Botha, excellently, goaled. 14-12 to Golden Lions.
On 48 minutes Visser goaled one and Western Province led 15-14.
But back came the Golden Lions and again Botha goaled. 17-15 to the Golden Lions.
Visser missed and then Visser goaled – not an easy kick – and with just over three minutes to play Western Province led 18-17.
The spirited Golden Lions made those three minutes agony for the home supporters and as they kept the ball through phases after phases, getting closer and closer till they were penalised for a bit of unintentional obstruction. Koster banged the ball straight over the touch-line and Western Province had won their second match at the 2007 Craven Week – a vast improvement over results in the recent past.
Scorers:
For Western Province:
Tries: Sadie, Bruinders
Con: Visser
Pens: Visser 2
For Golden Lions:
Tries: Janse van Rensburg
Pens: Botha 4
Teams:
Golden Lions: 15 Damian Janse van Rensburg, 14 Blake Mecuur, 13 Winston Williams, 12 Yaseed Johnson, 11 Fasel de Bruin, 10 Justin Botha, 9 Westley Moolman, 8 Rinus Bothma, 7 Clinton Groenewald, 6 Andre Jantjes, 5 Griffith van Wyk, 4 Marchant van Rooyen, 3 Julian Redelinghuys (captain), 2 Jenz Robinson, 1 Ryno Bosman.
Replacements: 16 JC Oberholzer, 17 Shane Kirkwood, 18 Justin Bushney, 19 Ben Sekgobela, 20 Rudi Page, 21 Armand Joubert, 22 Ivander Daters.
Western Province: 15 Leigh Bruinders, 14 Ralphton Minnaar, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Johann Sadie, 11 Justin McKay, 10 Jurgen Visser, 9 Dylan Petersen, 8 Nicholas Koster (captain), 7 Lambert Groenewald, 6 Marnitz Jacobs, 5 Gideon Myburgh, 4 Shaun McDonald, 3 Werner Greef, 2 Kieran James, 1 Rossouw de Klerk.
Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Frankle Beukes, 18 Yaasir Hartzenberg, 19 Waldo Prinsloo, 20 Morne Laubscher, 21 Tythan Adams, 22 Julian Karolus.
Referee: Petri Bosch (Griqualand West)
The fixtures for 12 July:
10.10: Namibia vs Border Country Districts
11.30: Border vs Zimbabwe
12.50: Griquas vs Limpopo
14.10: Blue Bulls vs Valke
15.30: Free State vs Pumas
