The
final match of the opening day of the 51st Coca-Cola Craven Week in
Middelburg on Monday was a humdinger, with pre-tournament favourites, Western
Province, holding out in the face of a ferocious second half onslaught from the
hosts, the Pumas, to win by a single point, 33-32.
Province
led 30-15 at half time, but could only add a single penalty in the second half,
while the Pumas scored three tries and came within whisker of causing a major
upset.
The
win meant that Province are still on track for a spot in Saturday’s unofficial
final, after their under-13, under-16 and Academy Week teams all won the main
games in the earlier Coca-Cola youth weeks.
Winger
Duncan Saal scored two tries for his side, with lock Jaco Willemse getting the
other one. Fullback Tiaan Swanepoel produced a flawless goal-kicking display,
slotting three penalties and three conversions for an 18-point contribution.
The
Pumas scored four tries, through Barend Smit, Mfundo Ndlovu, Stephan Enslin and
Driaan Bester. Flyhalf, Muller Joubert kicked three penalties and two
conversions.
Earlier
in the day, South Western Districts shocked KwaZulu-Natal by beating them
18-13. The win meant that SWD now have a shot at the coveted main game,
although one expects they will be up against Western Province next.
The
visitors from Zimbabwe won a lot of friends with their never-say-die attitude.
They came back from being 54-17 down against Eastern Province Country to lose
54-43 in the end.
The
other winners on day one were the Northern Free State Griffons, 47-20 over
Border, and the Limpopo Blue Bulls, who beat Griquas Country 25-19.
On
day two the Blue Bulls take on Eastern Province and the Golden Lions play Free
State in the big games.
Monday's results
Limpopo
Blue Bulls 25 Griquas Country 19, Eastern Province Country 54 Zimbabwe 43,
Griffons 47 Border 20, SWD 18 KwaZulu-Natal 13, Western Province 33 Pumas 22.
Tuesday’s
Fixtures
Griquas
v Border Country, Namibia v Leopards, Valke v Boland, Blue Bulls v Eastern
Province, Golden Lions v Free State
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