Under-13 Craven Week - Day 2
All the matches
The Under-13 Craven Week continued in Oudtshoorn on Tuesday with Mpulamanga, the Leopards, Golden Lions, Blue Bulls and Western Province winning their matches.
Griffons vs Zimbabwe, 24-5
The Griffons led 19-5 at the break. Zimbabwe were much better than they were in their opening fixture but the Griffons played to their strengths and made the most of their chances. They scored four tries to one through hooker Christiaan Kleynhans (2), flank Martunus Burger and centre Rubin Botha, two of which were converted by flyhalf Thomas Janeke. Zimbabwe’s try was scored by wing Sean Zeederberg.
Eastern Province vs Griquas, 22-0
The standout performer for Eastern Province was centre Zuko Ndela, whose blistering speed out wide resulted in two first half tries, giving his team a 17-0 lead at the break. Eastern Province’s third try was scored by wing Curtly van Heerden and converted by flyhalf Jan Serfontein. Griquas, who were scoreless in their opening match on Monday, tried tirelessly to breach the Eastern Province defence but it was not to be and Eastern Province added a fourth try through wing Ruwellyn Isbell in the final stages to secure the win.
Border Country Districts vs Namibia, 12-5
Border Country Districts staged a comeback in the second to beat Namibia 12-5 after trailing 5-0 at half-time. In a very evenly matched encounter, Namibia took the lead through a try by fullback Dunco Visser in the opening minute. Border Country Districts grabbed the lead early in the second half when flank Qhawe Masiza scored a try, which was converted by fullback Mathemba Ndevu. With just a few minutes to play, Border Country Districts made certain of the win when flank Xolelo Bada scored their second try.
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo, 19-5
The baby Pumas led 14-0 at half-time after tries by lock Irné Herbst and hooker Frans Schutte, both converted by flyhalf Janco Gunter. They extended the lead to 19-0 early in the second half with a try by centre Neil Meyer. Limpopo flyhalf Harold Vorster scored his side’s only points with a well taken chip and chase with three minutes to play.
Boland (17) 20 vs KwaZulu Natal, 20-15
Boland resisted a strong comeback by KwaZulu Natal in the second half to win 20-15. Boland led 17–8 at the break after two tries by Clayton Douglas and two conversions and a drop goal by flyhalf Jandré Louw. KwaZulu Natal’s points came through a try by sturdy winger Mutale Chileshe, which was converted by flyhalf Anrich Rosslee. Boland extended their lead to 12 points through a penalty by fullback Johan Peens early in the second half. KwaZulu Natal struck back soon afterwards when centre Chad Crouch broke the line to score. The try was converted by Rosslee, making it 20-15 to Boland. KwaZulu Natal had a few opportunities to snatch a win in the closing stages but were unable to finish off some promising moves.
Leopards vs South Western Districts, 14-5
The Leopards recorded a second straight win with a hard fought 14-5 win over hosts South Western Districts. The Leopards opened the scoring in the third minute with a long-range penalty by flank Estian Goosen. South Western Districts struck back with a try by centre Linden Rhode to take the lead but Goosen slotted another lengthy penalty kick to give the Leopards a slender 1-point lead at the break. The Leopards were not allowed to play the type of expansive game that brought them a 40-0 win over Griquas on Monday but they were able to create a decisive try through centre Justin Kruger early in the second half that took the score to 11-5. The Leopards sealed the win with a penalty by flyhalf Gerhaan Pieters on fulltime.
Golden Lions vs Border, 26-0
The Golden Lions led 8-0 at the break after a try by hooker Eugene Le Maitre and a penalty by flyhalf Andrew Smith. Border were guilty kicking away too much possession in the second half and they paid dearly, handing the Lions two gift tries in the final 10 minutes. Smith added a second penalty straight after half-time to extend the lead to 11-0 before number eight Anthony Kapp and wing Francois Grobler ran in opportunistic tries to put the result beyond doubt. Smith added one conversion and a third penalty to complete the Golden Lions’ scoring.
Blue Bulls vs Free State, 10-5
The Blue Bulls scored a try in the final minute to secure a 10-5 win over Free State. Both sides are brimful of talent and it was always going to be a close result. With time almost up, the Blue Bulls drove their way into Free State territory and took a quick tap penalty from five metres out to send centre Juan Smit over for the deciding score. Free State had earlier fought back from a 0-5 half-time deficit with lock Leneve Damens going over after a lineout five metres out. The Blue Bulls had opened the scoring through flank Pieter Mare following a lineout on the Free State line.
Western Province vs Valke, 15-0
The Western Province forwards controlled the game from the start and created a solid platform for the backs to attack. The Valke played into Western Province’s hands by kicking away far too much possession and it was no surprise when Western Province took the lead midway through the first half. Flank Bertus van der Merwe scored after some good build-up play and support in the drive by the forwards. The teams changed over at 5-0. Western Province extended their lead to 10-0 when wing Chad de Klerk rounded off after the ball had gone down the line following a lineout in the Valke 22. Western Province went further ahead after they had turned over possession in their own 22 and created several phases to eventually send wing Danian Hendricks over in the corner. Western Province used their forwards to drive effectively in the closing stages, forcing the Valke to play from within their own half and preventing them from getting onto the scoreboard.
Day 3's Fixtures (6 July)
KwaZulu Natal vs Limpopo
Eastern Province vs Griffons
Free State vs Boland
Mpumalanga vs Blue Bulls
Golden Lions vs Leopards
Griquas vs Border Country Districts
Border vs Valke
Zimbabwe vs Namibia
South Western Districts vs Western Province
Day 1's results
Blue Bulls vs KwaZulu Natal, 15-3
Border 38 – 5 Namibia, 38-5
Free State vs Limpopo, 22-10
Golden Lions vs Eastern Province, 31-8
Leopards vs Griquas, 40-0
Mpumalanga vs Western Province, 17-14
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 7-5
Valke vs Bioland, 16-10
Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts, 10-3
