EP stun Free State
DAY ONE WRAP: Boland, Eastern Province, the Sharks and Western Province claimed important wins on Day One of the SA Under-18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George.
The opening day of the tournament served up four highly entertaining contests.
Boland scored four tries in their 26-19 win against the Falcons, before EP secured a stunning 26-23 victory against Free State.
Free State dominated the early stages of the latter fixture and went to the break with a 16-6 lead. EP hit back in the second half, however, to take control of the contest.
A determined defensive performance at the death earned the Eastern Cape outfit a monumental victory. Dominic Malgas contributed 16 points to the cause via his goal-kicking boot.
There was more drama in the third match of the day, with the WP XV giving a more fancied Sharks side a scare.
The KwaZulu-Natalians led 22-5 at half-time and appeared to be on course for a massive victory. In the end, they were made to fight to secure a win against a spirited Cape side – who scored three tries and 19 points in the second half.
In the final game of the day, Western Province scored six tries in a convincing 42-12 win against the South Western Districts.
The Craven Week action will continue on Tuesday, with Griquas tackling the Leopards at 10.30.
Day One scorers and scorers:
Falcons 19-26 Boland
Scorers
For the Falcons
Tries: Zaid Rippenaar, Ruduwaan Rogers, Oregopotse Shilbuane
Cons: Duan du Toit 2
For Boland
Tries: Ricky Lesch, Callum van Staden, Seppie September, Petrie van Dyk
Cons: Luan Giliomee 3
Free State 23-26 Eastern Province
Scorers
For Free State
Tries: Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron
Cons: Ian van der Merwe 2
Pens: Van der Merwe 3
For Eastern Province
Tries: Jamain Dampies, Hein Terblanche
Cons: Dominic Malgas 2
Pens: Malgas 4
Sharks 34-24 Western Province
Scorers
For the Sharks
Tries: Siya Ndlozi, Siso France, Campbell Ridi, Luyanda Kunene, Jaco Williams
Cons: Chris Horak 3
Pen: Horak
For Western Province XV
Tries: HB Odendaal, Enslin Claassen, Torren February, Juma Amissi
Cons: Daniel van der Merwe 2
Western Province 42-12 SWD
Scorers
For Western Province
Tries: Cilliers Viljoen, Xola Nyali, Zeke January, Albe Bester, Gino Cupido, Haashim Pead
Cons: Kyle Smith 3
Pens: Smith 2
For SWD
Tries: Ashwin Damons, Andrew Stopforth
Con: Elgernon Meyer
Day Two fixtures:
10.30: Griquas v Leopards
12.00: Griffons v Limpopo Blue Bulls
13.30: Golden Lions v Pumas
15.00: Blue Bulls v Border
