A powerful DHL Western Province Under-21 outfit claimed a convincing 71-17 win over the Border Bulldogs in East London on Friday in their final league match of the 2012 season.
John Dobson’s side ran in an impressive 11 tries, as they made it two from two over Border in 2012 – having won their home clash against the selfsame Bulldogs side by 31-17 back in August.
Having already racked up the bonus point in the first half, as they led 29-0, the DHL WP U21s – boasting Absa Currie Cup players like Wilhelm van der Sluys, Damian de Allende, JP du Plessis (pictured)and Pat Howard – were relentless in the second half, running in a further six tries.
The WP back three of Howard, Clearance Khumalo and Cheslin Kolbe was in fine form – scoring seven tries between them, four of those five-pointers going to Khumalo.
Kolbe opened the scoring in the first half, before he was followed by Khumalo (twice), Howard and lock Van der Sluys. Dillyn Leyds, starting at flyhalf this week, kicked two first-half conversions before landing four more conversions in the second half.
To their credit, Border replied with three second-half tries of their own but the visitors finished on a high as they ended the regular season in third place with eight wins (and four losses) from 12 starts.
This means that the DHL WP U21s – after the Sharks Under-21s’ 44-21 win over the Leopards at the same time in Durban on Friday – will travel to Mr Price Kings Park next weekend to face the selfsame Sharks in the semifinals.
An understandably pleased WP U21 coach John Dobson said afterwards: “That was an impressive performance against a competitive Border team and, best of all, we have just one injury worry – a slight groin concern over loose forward Lungelo Chonco.
“We scored some fantastic tries but there is a lot to work on before the semifinals… more than I initially thought and had hoped, but I would rather know that now than next week.”
The scorers:
For Border Bulldogs Under-21:
Tries: Fritz, Deyzel 2
Con: Sabbagh
For DHL Western Province Under-21:
Tries: Kolbe 2, Khumalo 4, Howard, Van der Sluys, C van Wyk 2, Masimla
Cons: Leyds 6, Khumalo, Kebble
