Limpopo Blue Bulls second-half blitz sinks Lions XV
CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: It was certainly a sensational second-half performance from the Limpopo Blue Bulls on the Day 4 of the Cravenweek.
The Limpopo Blue Bulls overturned a seven-point half-time deficit for the impressive 46-24 win over the Golden Lions XV.
The Lions held a 17-10 lead at the break and looked in control of the match. Then the second half happened and the Limpopo Blue Bulls switched into overdrive – instigated with a try from flank Renzo du Plessis and three additional five-pointers for the unlikely win.
There matched was deemed to be highly contested, however, in the end, Limpopo Blue Bulls scored eight tries including a hattrick by captain Brandon Cronje. While the Lions only managed to produced four tries of their own.
The match started in frantic pace as Limpopo conceded a few easy penalties and handing possession to the Golden Lions.
The Gauteng side camped inside the Limpopo Blue Bulls’ 22 and courtesy of a powerful scrum by the pack No.9 Marquin Uren found centre France Weideman, who sliced through the middle of the defence for the first try of the match. Eulon Redcliffe added the easy extras for the 7-0 lead after just five minutes.
Redcliffe along with Herschelle Goodman certainly proved to be a headache for Limpopo as the duo’s fast runs got the Lions XV inside the red zone. They had an opportunity to extend the lead. However, fullback Redcliffe pulled his shot wide and the score remained 7-0.
The Limpopo finally had the ball after being deprived of the possession for the first 20 minutes and immediately were on the board thanks to an impressive break by the big Marvelous Mashimbye, who burst over the Lions defenders for his side’s first five-pointer.
Minutes later the lethal Lions backline linked up again and sent Sifiso Dlamini over the line for the try in the corner. This time Goodman stepped up to covert however he missed the kick as well.
Back came the Bulls through some fantastic individual brilliance by captain Brandon Cronje. From his own half, the fullback put on the pace and broke a few tackles before rounding off his own hard work with the try.
With the tit for tat nature of the first half, just as it looked the Bulls might take control of proceedings, the side had a setback when Jody Du Preez was handed a yellow card and Lions made the most of the advantage as Dlamani stepped Bulls Cronje for his second try of the match, making it 17-10 at the break.
However than the second-half happened and Limpopo Blue Bulls were a totally different team.
Still down to 14 men the side took a lead for the first time thanks to two quick consecutive tries Renzo du Plessis and Taylor du Plessis. Divan Van Zyl finally managed to slot over the extras for the 22-10 lead.
With the lead snatched from their grasp, the Lions defences were disarray and minutes later they conceded another try. Hard work and numerous phases make sure Siphiwe Tjale went over the line for the Limpopo Blue Bulls’ fourth try.
Soon the Limpopo side had their fifth in the bag as captain courageous Cronje broke through the defence and scored his second try of the match.
The scoring did not stop as formidable centre Taylor du Plessis broke through the middle before sending it wide for his captain Cronje’s third try of the match.
The Limpopo side made scoring look easy as Jody du Preez also got his name on the board after a good line break inside the Lions’ 22. Van Zyl added the extras for the 46-17 lead after 60 minutes of play.
The Lions were desperate to add to their tally. They had a five-metre scrum inside the Limpopo Blue Bulls’ danger zone however the side failed to break the solid defence.
They continued to attack and with one minute left on the clock, the Lions scored a consolation try when hooker Sabastian Motsage burst over the line from the back of the rolling maul. Redcliff added the extras.
It was a case of a little too late as Limpopo Blue Bulls with just 47 possession secured a comfortable 56
The scorers:
For Golden Lions XV
Tries: Weideman, Dlamini 2, Motsage,
Cons: Redcliffe 2
For Limpopo Bleu Bulls
Tries: Mashimbye, Cronje 3, R du Plessis, T Du Plessis, Tjale, Du Preez
Cons: Van Zyl 3
Yellow cards: Jody Du Preez (Limpopo Blue Bulls, 30), Herschelle Goodman (Golden Lions XV, 56)
Golden Lions XV: 1 Dehan Niemand, 2 Franco Prinsloo, 3 Heiko Pohlman, 4 Bobalo Makana, 5 Alexander Groves, 6 Rynard Mouton, 7 Ocean Tsimbalanga, 8 Kayle Schultz, 9 Marquin Uren, 10 Sebastine Watney, 11 Setshaba Mokoena, 12 Frans Weideman (captain), 13 Melbirt van der Spuy, 14 Maurice Marks, 15 Eulon Redcliffe, 16 Sabastian Motsage, 17 Prince Mulea, 18 John Kelly Okonkwo, 19 J Ruthel, 20 M Jonker, 21 Gerath Louw, 22 Sifiso Dlamini, 23 Herschelle Goodman.
Limpopo Blue Bulls: 1 Khutso Terwey, 2 Diaan Coetzee, 3 Henco Swart, 4 Makhekhaya Malunjwa, 5 Johannes Els, 6 Johannes du Toit, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 8 Jan-Hendrik Cronje, 9 Kgothatso Sono, 10 Divan van Zyl, 11 Eduaniq Harmse, 12 Franco Broodryk, 13 Taylor du Plessis, 14 Sean Roulston, 15 Brandon Cronje (captain), 16 Alshandro Kock, 17 Matome Molebogeng, 18 Marvelous Mashimbye, 19 Jurgen van Houwald, 20 Siphiwe Tjale, 21 Jandré Moos, 22 Jody du Preez, 23 Tshimiswa Nemavhola.
