DHL Western Province U19 proved too strong for Xerox Golden Lions U19 at City Park on Saturday, claiming a 37-28 victory in a hard-fought game.
The home side outscored the Gauteng outfit by five tries to four, to make it two consecutive wins and hand the visitors their first defeat of the season.
They had to fight hard for the win, with Xerox Golden Lions U19 taking a slender 21-20 advantage into half-time before the hosts left them behind in the second half.
The visitors were first to score with an early try from hooker Damian Venter, but it did not take DHL Western Province U19 long to get on the scoreboard, with powerful inside centre Waqar Solaan going over for the first try.
They grabbed the lead shortly after that as fullback Quan Eyman ghosted over for a try to make it 10-7.
The Xerox Golden Lions U19 then went back in front with tries from lock Hendrik Smit and flank Cal Smid, while DHL Western Province U19 flyhalf Chris Shreuder kicked one penalty in between.
The home side had the final say in the first half as prop Dian Bleuler went over to cut the vistors’ advantage to 21-20 at the break.
DHL Western Province U19 took control of the game early in the second half as they took a lead they would not give up with a try from hooker Ru-Hann Greyling.
The home side were reduced to 14 men when wing Angelo Davids was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-down and the Xerox Golden Lions U19 were able to score while he was off the field, but it would not be enough as DHL Western Province U19 settled matter with a fifth and final try from replacement Henro Meyer
The scorers:
For DHL WP U19:
Tries: Solaan, Eyman, Bleuler, Greyling, Meyer
Cons: Schreuder 3
Pens: Schreuder 2
For Golden Lions U19:
Tries: Venter, Smit, Smid, Buma
Cons: Humphries 4
DHL Western Province U19: 15 Quan Eyman, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 David Kriel, 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Christiaan Ambadiang, 10 Christopher Schreuder, 9 Lucky Dlepu, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Tonderai Chiwambutsa, 6 Bevan Prinsloo, 5 Herman le Roux, 4 Ian Katwanga, 3 Hugo Pienaar, 2 Ru-Hann Greyling, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Chris Rossouw, 17 Alexander Mbete, 18 Joshua du Preez, 19 Jean-Luc de Lange, 20 Henro Meyer, 21 Gerado Jaars, 22 David Coetzer, 23 Aydon Topley.
Xerox Golden Lions U19: 15 Kennedy Mpeku, 14 David Cary, 13 Edmund Ludick, 12 Yanga Hlalu, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Christian Humphries, 9 Tinus Combrink, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Mandisi Mthiyane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Cristen van Niekerk, 4 Hendrik Smit, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Nkosikona Masuku.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Drotskie, 17 Ebot Buma, 18 Eben Brandt, 19 Ewan Visser, 20 Michael Goodall, 21 Hlumelo Ndudula, 22 Jonathan Viljoen, 23 Wesley Thompson.