DHL Western Province began their 2013 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week campaign with a 40-24 win over the Pumas in Polokwane on Monday afternoon.

The WP Under-18s led 19-17 at half-time, scoring three tries in each half as they claimed an eventual six tries to four victory.

Inside centre Daniel du Plessis (pictured, above) scored four tries for Province, with right-wing Grant Hermanus – a member of last year’s WP Craven Week team – adding five conversions.
100-101
WP’s other tries were scored by left-wing Dewald Naude and replacement back Heinrich Bhur.

Western Province opened the scoring in the fourth minute against the Pumas with a well-worked try by four-try hero Du Plessis, but the Pumas hit back minutes later with a try of their own.

The arm-wrestle continued as Western Province scored their second try, but again battled to stop the Pumas from running two quick tries to take the lead. This, however, was shortlived as the Cape side snuck in for their third try a few minutes before the break for a 19-17 lead.

Province’s ability to snuff out the gaps on defence and to use their try-scoring chances, in particular, handed them an edge and they took full advantage of this to dominate the second half. This earned them their total of six tries for the match, which was sufficient to shut out the Pumas.

Meanwhile, in other action on Day One (on Monday), there were wins for Boland, the Blue Bulls, Border and Zimbabwe.

The other 10 teams in the series will take to the field tomorrow, with the eagerly-anticipated clashes expected to be the Golden Lions taking on SWD and Eastern Province meeting Free State.

The DHL WP Under-18 scorers (v Pumas):
Tries: Du Plessis 4, Naude, Buhr
Cons: Hermanus 5

Coca-Cola Craven Week results (Day One):
Limpopo Blue Bulls 26 Boland 31
Blue Bulls 46 KwaZulu-Natal 22
Western Province 40 Pumas 24
Border 38 Namibia 20200-101
Griquas 17 Zimbabwe 35

Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week, Day Two fixtures:
09h30: EP CD v Leopards
11h00: Griquas CD v Border CD
12h30: Valke v Griffons
14h00: Golden Lions v SWD
15h30: EP v Free State