Valke win LSEN's final match
In the LSEN Craven Week being played at the Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark, hosts Valke met Western Province in the choice match on the third and final day, and the home side won 24-12. They are entitled to consider themselves the top team in this year’s tournament.
This is the second year in succession that the Valke have come out on top. In 2017 they beat Boland in the final match.
The Valke, who led 17-9 at half-time, were worthy winners, scoring four tries to none. All the Western Province points came from penalty goals kicked by Joshua Visagie. Shelden Human, a loosehead prop, scored two tries for the winners. The other two were scored by Mpumelelo Mdluli and Chae Rouillon while flyhalf Chezlin Oosthuizen kicked two conversions.
Eastern Province ended the tournament unbeaten with a draw, scoring two wins and a draw in their three matches. They scored five tries and kept Free State scoreless.
The closest match of the day was that between Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Golden Lions EE. Each side scored two tries. Kwa-Zulu Natal kicked a conversion and a penalty goal while the Golden Lions kicked two conversions, hence the one-point victory for Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The Blue Bulls fought back with great determination against Boland. They were down 22-7 at half time and ended 22-17 – a great fightback, just not enough.
South Western Districts, the Pumas and the Golden Limns were each involved in high-scoring matches.
By half-time South Western Districts led 34-5 but won the second half just 7-5
The Pumas scored three tries to two, the Golden Lions four tries to two.
Results Day 3
South Western Districts vs Valke XV 41-10
Pumas vs Leopards 25-12
Golden Lions vs Griffons 29-21
Sharks vs Golden Lions EE 15-14
Eastern Province vs Free State 27-0
Boland vs Blue Bulls 22-17
Valke vs Western Province 24-12
Results Day 1
Blue Bulls vs Pumas, 27-19
Valke XV vs Sharks, 28-21
Free State vs Golden Lions, 38-14
Golden Lions EE vs Griffons, 34-22
Western Province vs Eastern Province, 7-7
Boland vs South Western Districts, 42-7
Valke vs Leopards, 69-10
Results Day 2
Griffons vs Sharks, 53-10
Golden Lions vs Leopards, 35-24
South Western Districts vs Golden Lions EE, 75-3
Eastern Province vs Pumas, 32-15
Valke XV vs Free State, 21-7
Valke vs Blue Bulls, 27-26
Western Province vs Boland, 36-19
