Under-13 Craven Week-Day 4 results
Lions are Kings
Cooler conditions descended on the Klein Karroo after overnight rain and players in the opening matches on the final day were greeted by a cold, damp and frosty field. The laurels in the Week's final match went to the Golden Lions, who scored a 14-10 win over a brave Mpumalanga side.
There were also wins on the final day for the Blue Bulls, Leopards, Valke, Limpopo, Griquas, KwaZulu Natal, Griffons and Border.
Golden Lions vs Mpumalanga, 14-10
The Golden Lions enjoyed a surfeit of possession in the first half and might have killed off the Pumas' challenge early on had they done more with it. On several occasions that missed a scoring chance by failing to use the extra man and electing rather to kick or take contact. They did take the lead midway through the half when athletic eighthman Anthony Kapp collected a pass on the half-way line and beat the cover defence to score under the posts. Flyhalf Andrew Smith converted to give his side a 7-0 lead. The Pumas had to feed on scraps but they took advantage when they managed to get into the Golden Lions 22 for the first time, scoring a try through lock Jaco Bisschoff to reduce the deficit to 7-5 at half-time.
The Golden Lions continued to dominate in the second half and extended their lead midway through with a try by centre De la Rey van Huyssteen, which was converted by Smith to take the score to 14-5. The Pumas never gave in, however, and they created a second try out wide for wing William Mkhonto to reduce the deficit to four points. The Pumas continued to press but the Golden Lions held out for a deserved victory.
Blue Bulls vs Western Province, 10-7
The match was typical of a clash between two of the country's top provinces, and it was evident from the start that the players had "lifted their game" for this one. The Blue Bulls used their pack well and caused havoc with the darting runs of the multi-talented Timothy Nhlapo, who played at hooker and at centre during the Week. The Blue Bulls led 5-0 at the change after prop Luan de Bruin had scored a try. Western Province spurned numerous chances before half-time with their handling letting them down. It was Nhlapo who made his presence felt when he went over in the corner eight minutes into the second half to give the Blue Bulls a 10-0 lead. Despite some intense Blue Bulls pressure, Western Province created a chance out wide for wing Anthony Abrahams with flyhalf Jean Rossouw adding the conversion to narrow the deficit to three. Although Western Province had a few chances as the game drew to an end the Blue Bulls defence held firm.
Leopards vs Free State, 17-3
The Leopards were 5-0 ahead at the break. It was their third win in four matches and was based much on the fact that they were able to bring their outside backs into play. They scored three tries to nil, two of them by lightning quick fullback Jackson Mokwetla, who had bagged four tries in the 40-0 drubbing of Griquas on Monday. Their third try was scored by centre Justin Kruger with flyhalf Gerhann Pieters adding the conversion. Free State's points came from a penalty by fullback Meyer van Tonder. They might have scored a consolation try in the dying stages had they passed instead of holding onto the ball and taking contact.
Valke vs Eastern Province, 25-19
The Valke fought back from an early setback to score a deserved 25-19 win over a competitive Eastern Province side. Eastern Province started well, scoring two early tries through wing Curtly van Heerden and flank Justin Benn, converted by flyhalf Andreas Nel, to storm into a 12-0 lead after seven minutes. The Valke came back strongly, using their bigger forwards to carry the ball and set up the phases. This paid off as they responded with tries by centre Ruan Grove and fullback Daniel Motitsoe and a penalty by scrumhalf Adriaan van Heerden to lead 13-12 at the break. The Valke continued to dominate and added further tries through hooker Jacobus Cronjé and eighthman Armand Havenga, converted by flyhalf Marius Scheepers to lead 25-12. Eastern Province had several chances in the closing stages and eventually managed a consolation try through wing Ruwellyn Isbell, the tournament's top try scorer, which was converted by Nel.
Limpopo vs South Western Districts, 24-7
Limpopo scored a minor upset when they beat hosts South Western Districts 24-7 to end the Week with a 50% success rate. The win followed their upset 39-0 thrashing of KwaZulu on Thursday. Limpopo led 17-0 at the break after running in three first half tries through wings Pshegane Maponya and Nicephore Omba, and prop Johan Maree. Fullback Tovhowani Nefale added one conversion. Limpopo continued to dominate in the second half and went further ahead shortly after half-time when Nefale joined the line, straightened and ran almost 20 metres to score his team's fourth try. Flyhalf Harold Vorster converted to make it 24-0. South Western Districts, who faded after a solid start to the Week on Monday, scored a consolation try through wing Jackson Uithaler, which was converted by fullback André Venter.
Griquas vs Zimbabwe, 15-0
Griquas scored three tries to nil to secure a 15-0 win over Zimbabwe and ensure that they finished the week on a positive note. There was no score at half-time as both sides battled to get going in icy conditions that were more akin to players getting frost burns than grass burns. Conditions were slippery underfoot and handling was uncertain with a slippery ball. Griquas, however, made the most of their chances and it was no surprise that two of their tries were scored by forwards – eighthman Hans Lingenfelder and flank Graham de Reuc – with centre Jaco Buys getting the third on the stroke of full-time.
KwaZulu Natal vs Namibia, 32-0
KwaZulu Natal ended the Week on a high note with a comprehensive 32-0 win over Namibia. They led 15-0 at half-time. First half tries were scored by centre David Brill (2) and wing Mutala Chileshe. The young Sharks kept up the pressure in the second half and ran in a further three tries via flanks Penuel Shezi and Nicholas Colepeper and wing Chad Crouch, two these in the final few minutes. Fullback Anrich Rosslee converted one of the six tries.
Griffons vs Border Country Districts, 17-10
The Griffons led 12-5 at half-time. Border Country Districts opened the scoring with a try by wing Phaphani Canga in the seventh minute. The Griffons replied four minutes later when hooker Christiaan Kleynhans scored a try, which was converted by flyhalf Thomas Janeke. Prop Jacobus Nel added a second try for the Griffons before the break. The Griffons extended the lead to 15-5 after wing Ntadime Litabe scored a try and Border Country Districts got a consolation try when Canga went over for his second score of the match.
Border vs Boland, 22-7
Border led 14-7 at the break. Border went into a 14-0 lead with tries by wings Ayabonga Masiba and Emihle Siziba, which were converted by flyhalf Justin Haynes. Boland pulled a try back via flank Clinton Ruiters just before the break. Border added a third try through eighthman Tseop Gcanga shortly after half-time and they made certain of the win when Haynes kicked a penalty four minutes from time.
Results Summary
Day 1
Blue Bulls vs KwaZulu Natal, 15-3
Border vs 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 Boland, 16-10
Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts, 10-3
Day 2
Blue Bulls vs Free State, 10-5
Boland vs KwaZulu Natal, 20-15
Border Country Districts vs Namibia, 12-5
Eastern Province vs Griquas, 22-0
Golden Lions vs Border, 26-0
Griffons vs Zimbabwe, 24-5
Leopards vs SWD, 14-5
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo, 19-5
Western Province vs Valke, 15-0
Day 3
Border vs Valke, 8-8
Eastern Province vs Griffons, 45-0
Free State vs Boland, 15-5
Golden Lions vs Leopards, 22-3
Griquas vs Border Country Districts, 17-0
Limpopo vs KwaZulu Natal, 39-0
Mpumalanga vs Blue Bulls, 17-13
Western Province vs South Western Districts, 22-0
Zimbabwe vs Namibia, 10-10
Day 4
Blue Bulls v Western Province, 10-7
Border v Boland, 22-7
Golden Lions vs Mpumalanga, 14-10
Griffons vs Border Country Districts, 17-10
Griquas vs Zimbabwe, 15-0
KwaZulu Natal vs Namibia, 32-0
Leopards vs Free State, 17-3
Limpopo vs South Western Districts, 24-7
Valke vs Eastern Province, 25-19
Overall Results
Blue Bulls v Western Province, 10-7
Blue Bulls vs Free State, 10-5
Blue Bulls vs KwaZulu Natal, 15-3
Boland vs KwaZulu Natal, 20-15
Border v Boland, 22-7
Border Country Districts vs Namibia, 12-5
Border vs Namibia, 38-5
Border vs Valke, 8-8
Eastern Province vs Griffons, 45-0
Eastern Province vs Griquas, 22-0
Free State vs Boland, 15-5
Free State vs Limpopo, 22-10
Golden Lions vs Border, 26-0
Golden Lions vs Eastern Province, 31-8
Golden Lions vs Leopards, 22-3
Golden Lions vs Mpumalanga, 14-10
Griffons vs Border Country Districts, 17-10
Griffons vs Zimbabwe, 24-5
Griquas vs Border Country Districts, 17-0
Griquas vs Zimbabwe, 15-0
KwaZulu Natal vs Namibia, 32-0
Leopards vs Free State, 17-3
Leopards vs Griquas, 40-0
Leopards vs SWD, 14-5
Limpopo vs KwaZulu Natal, 39-0
Limpopo vs South Western Districts, 24-7
Mpumalanga vs Blue Bulls, 17-13
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo, 19-5
Mpumalanga vs Western Province, 17-14
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 7-5
Valke vs Boland, 16-10
Valke vs Eastern Province, 25-19
Western Province vs South Western Districts, 22-0
Western Province vs Valke, 15-0
Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts, 10-3
Zimbabwe vs Namibia, 10-10
Each team played four matches.
Success rate:
Golden Lions: won 4
Blue Bulls: won 3
Leopards: won 3
Mpumalanga: won 3
Border: won 2 and a draw
Valke: won 2 and a draw
Eastern Province: won 2
Free State: won 2
Griffons: won 2
Griquas: won 2
Limpopo: won 2
Western Province: won 2
Zimbabwe: won 1 and a draw
Boland: won 1
Border Country Districts: won 1
KwaZulu Natal: won 1
South Western Districts: won 1
Namibia: 1 draw
