BAY SIDE OUTPLAYED BY ENERGETIC NEIGHBOURS
Intense SWD side full value for victory
SOUTH Western Districts delivered an energetic performance to outplay Eastern Province on the second day of the Coca-Cola Craven Week rugby tournament at St Stithians in Johannesburg yesterday, defeating their neighbours 27-22.
The Southern Cape side were full value for the victory, capitalising on numerous EP errors and showing excellent intensity to score three tries in the first half.
They led 19-10 at the break and crossed for one more try in the second half.
EP started with a bang when elusive flyhalf Rodwill Baaitjies darted through for an excellent try in the second minute.
Fullback Dylan le Roux converted to make it 7-0 but the Nelson Mandela Bay side were not able to build on that.
Their lineout was almost dysfunctional and they were often too impatient on attack, losing the ball in promising positions, which allowed the dangerous SWD side to launch numerous counter-attacks.
EP’s tackling was also not up to scratch and the Southern Cape side never looked back once they had seized the initiative.
Not even two yellow cards in the closing stages of the match could prevent them from securing a significant win.
After EP’s early try, SWD prop Dian Bleuler earned the manof-the-match award when he powered over for two tries from close range.
His efforts represented the difference between the two sides because EP often wasted their efforts when they were on attack.
Quick recycling was the order of the day for SWD and this allowed them to set up a fine backline move for Curtley Scheepers to score their third try of the match in the 23rd minute.
JC Nel was on target with the boot for SWD, kicking two conversions in the first half and a conversion and a penalty in the second to keep his team in front.
SWD’s fourth try came from a powerful run by forward Hanu Heunis in the second half, giving them a comfortable 27-10 lead.
EP eventually took their chances when SWD received their first yellow card in the 60th minute, with a slick backline move putting centre Waqar Solaan into a gap for a try under the posts.
The Bay side continued to attack, but SWD’s defence stood up bravely in the closing stages.
Finally though, with their opponents down to 13 men, EP found a way through for a try by wing Juandre Sabbat after the hooter had gone. It was a classic case of too little, too late.
In the midday match, EP Country Districts showed fine spirit to fight back in the second half against Griqualand West before losing 42-20.
EPCD scored an excellent try with 15 minutes left to give themselves a glimmer of hope before Griquas turned over possession in midfield for a telling score in the last five minutes which killed off the match as a contest.
Yesterday’s results were: Namibia bt Falcons 52-36, Leopards bt Zimbabwe 72-17, Griquas bt EPCD 42-20, SWD bt EP 27-22, Sharks bt Blue Bulls 53-33