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Another successful Under-21 road trip

PUBLISHED: August 4, 2012


The DHL Western Province Under-21 team claimed a welcome 31-20 win over the Platinum Leopards at Olën Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors racked up five tries, and conceded just three, as they overturned a 7-8 halftime deficit to claim their second win on the road in 2012.

Loose forward Beyers de Villiers was first on the scoreboard for DHL WP Under-21 in the fifth minute, with Dillyn Leyds converting, but a try by Edmar Marais – and a later penalty from Lance Ruthford – saw the home side lead at the break.

Speedster Devon Williams opened the scoring for the DHL WP U21 team in the second half (unconverted), but the Leopards matched them and raised them through a converted try by Ernie Strydom.

However, a JP du Plessis try (56th minute), with Tim Swiel converting, followed by a Lungelo Chonco try (68th minute – unconverted), saw the first visitors regain the lead and then give them some breathing space at 24-15 up.

The DHL WP Under-21s were not done scoring as Williams completed his brace in the final ten minutes, with Swiel converting again, and not even a late try by the hosts (unconverted) could change the final result as the Men in Blue & White ran out 31-20 winners.

Afterwards, John Dobson, the DHL Western Province Under-21 head coach, told www.wprugby.com: “We showed a lot of character, Potch is not an easy place to win.

“We had some injuries ahead of the match and I’ve never seen our medical staff busier during a game. So to come back from a deficit and to win despite our injuries… like I said, we really showed some character!”

The scorers:

For the Platinum Leopards Under-21:
Tries: Edmar Marais, Ernie Strydom, Rowayne Beukman
Con: Lance Ruthford
Pen: Lance Ruthford

For DHL Western Province Under-21:
Tries: Beyers de Villiers, Devon Williams 2, JP du Plessis, Lungelo Chonco
Cons: Dillyn Leyds, Tim Swiel 2