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DHL WP fall short at Loftus

PUBLISHED: July 27, 2024


DHL Western Province scored four tries in a 50-34 Carling Currie Cup defeat against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Vodacom Bulls were forced to come from behind at home, having trailed by 17 points at half-time. DHL Western Province have a bonus point to show for their efforts for their four tries.

The home side opened the scoring with an early penalty, but DHL WP were back on level terms when Jurie Matthee slotted a drop-goal.

Despite early injuries to props Sazi Sandi and Lizo Gqoboka, DHL WP took control of matters, with three tries putting them 27-3 up.

The first came from lock Gary Porter, who powered over from close range following some penetrative running from his teammates in the 22.

The second try saw the backs show off their footwork, Angelo Davids toeing the ball ahead for Wandisile Simelane to score.

Simelane was central to the third try as well, getting on the end of a chip kick and getting the ball away to a flying Imad Khan.

The Vodacom Bulls got a try just before half-time, which reduced the lead to 27-10 at the break.

The hosts started the second half with real intent and scored four tries to take the lead back at 36-27 with 25 minutes left.

DHL WP kept fighting and had their bonus point try when Angelo Davids scored in the corner, with the touchline conversion bringing them within two points.

However, the home side scored two late tries to seal the win.

The scorers:

For DHL WP:
Tries:
Porter, Simelane, Khan, Davids
Cons: Matthee 4
Pen: Matthee
DG: Matthee

For Vodacom Bulls:
Tries
: Van der Walt 2, Gumede, Klopper, Burger, Van Zyl, Else
Cons: Van der Walt 6
Pen: Van der Walt

DHL Western Province: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Luke Burger.