WP survive Lions fightback
Western Province survived a spirited fightback from the Golden Lions to secure a narrow 26-21 win over their Northern rivals, in the final game of Day 3 of the 2009 Craven Week at the Border Rugby Union Stadium.
The match was of a high standard; the organisation and structure of both team’s attack and defence a notable step up from the day’s earlier games.
The Lions tested WP early with some quick hands at pace, stretching the defence. But WP kept their defensive line intact and tackled well to keep the Lions at bay. WP flyhalf William van Wyk opened the scoring with a fantastic penalty from almost fifty metres out.
Van Wyk was the catalyst for his team’s next score; a deft chip and regather setting up wing Zingisa Ndiki for an easy run-in. WP were on a roll and soon extended their lead with some more great work from the backline. Fullback Craig Barry got the ball in space and sold a good dummy to force his way over.
Van Wyk landed another penalty to make it 18-0 at halftime. The Lions had attacked well in patches and spent extended periods in WP’s half, but they lacked the incisiveness of their opponents and couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities.
But in the second half the boys from Gauteng began to turn pressure into points, fullback Garth April’s boot halving the lead with three well-taken shots at goal. But van Wyk was not to be outdone, slotting one of his own to restore the twelve point lead. These two have been the most accurate kickers at the Craven Week and should both come into the reckoning for the SA Schools side.
But the Lions were undeterred by the setback and continued to press in WP territory. A great break in midfield set up Jarrod Meyer to dive over.
It was a seven-point game with twelve minutes to play.
But a mistake inside their own 22 cost the Lions five points; and maybe the match. A long, looping pass went to ground as the Lions tried to run from deep. WP Centre Tshotsho Mbovane was quickest to react; 26-14 with ten minutes remaining.
It could have all ended there, but for the unwavering spirit of the Lions players. A final assault allowed April to show his running skills as he rounded one defender to score. He converted his own try to ensure a nervewracking final minute. But it was just too little, too late and the 26-21 win was secured by Western Province.
Scorers:
For WP:
Tries: Ndiki, Barry, Mobovane
Cons: van Wyk 2
Pens: van Wyk 3
For Lions:
Tries: Meyer, April
Con: April
Pens: April 3
Squads:
Western Province: 15 Logan Solomons (Scottsdene), 14 Zingisa Ndiki (Wynberg Boys’ High), 13 Tshotsho Mbovane (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 12 JP du Plessis (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 11 JR Esterhuizen (Paarl Gymnasium), 10 William van Wyk (Paarl Gymnasium), 9 Rick Schroeder (Paul Roos Gymnasium, captain), 8 Christiaan Smith (Paarl Gymnasium), 7 Nizaam Carr (Bishops), 6 Heinrich Marcus (Excelsior), 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys (Paarl Boys’ High), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Tygerberg High), 3 Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys’ High, vice captain), 2 Gareth Topkin (Rondebosch Boys’ High), 1 Adriaan Botha (Paarl Boys’ High), 16 Neil Rautenbach (Paarl Boys’ High), 17 Steven Kitshoff (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 18 Braam Steyn (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 19 Jodi Reyneke (Tygerberg High), 20 Jean Rossouw (Strand High), 21 Sam Lane (Bishops), 22 Craig Barry (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Golden Lions: 15 Garth April (Florida), 14 Lincoln Koopman (Jeppe), 13 Bradley Moolman (Monument), 12 Jared Meyer (KES), 11 Andries Oosthuizen (Monument), 10 Jaco Taute (Monument), 9 Nico Kruger (Monument), 8 Siyanda Yaka (Monument), 7 JP le Grange (Monument), 6 Jimmy Hughes (Monument), 5 Fabian Booysen (Florida), 4 Ruan Venter (Monument), 3 Wiseman Kamanga (Marais Viljoen), 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni (KES), 1 LJ van Heerden (Monument), 16 Blbertus Jansen van Vuuren (Monument), 17 Ashley Perreira (KES), 18 Vincent Jobo (KES), 19 Stephan Nel (Monument), 20 Daniel Eyre (KES), 21 Lucien Ruiters (KES), 22 Lonwabo Ntleki (KES)
Referee: Archie Sehlako
By Tim Human
