The DHL Western Province Under-19s went down 10-13 to the EP Kings Under-19s in a hard-fought Absa Provincial U19 clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The visiting DHL WP juniors started like strongly, as they led 10-0 after 13 minutes – a try by tighthead prop Michael Kumbarai and the boot of flyhalf Aidynn Cupido doing the business for them.
However, the poor weather – most of the match was played in the driving rain – and a strong comeback from the hosts, saw the EP side claw their way back into the match as the teams went into half-time tied at 10-10.
The Kings landed a penalty goal 10 minutes into the second half as they led for the first time in the game – a lead they did not give up in the end as their tactical approach and execution helped them to a third win in succession this season.
Province Under-19 coach Nazeem Adams said: “Credit to the Kings, they executed better and ultimately deserved the victory. It’s never nice losing, but we need to show our quality by bouncing back next week against the Lions.”
DHL WP U19 skipper Jaco Coetzee left the field in the final quarter with what appeared to be a wrist injury, but it is too early to tell how serious it is.
The scorers:
For the EP Kings Under-19s:
Try: Ward
Con: Brink
Pens: Brink 2
For the DHL Western Province Under-19s:
Try: Kumbarai
Con: Cupido
Pen: Cupido
The teams:
EP Kings Under-19: 15 Mabhutana Peter, 14 Dominik Uytenbogaardt, 13 Yamkela Nyalambisa, 12 Jeremy Ward (captain), 11 Avelo Jubase, 10 Michael Brink, 9 James Hall, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Hayden Tharratt, 6 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 5 Wihan Coetzer, 4 Rob Lyons, 3 Roche van Zyl, 2 Tango Balekile, 1 Nicolaas Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Craig Hume, 17 Matthew Howes, 18 Kuhle Makhoabane, 19 Jason Lizamore, 20 Pieter Swanepoel, 21 Sibusiso Ngocovane, 22 Jordan Koekemoer, 23 Athi Mayinje.
DHL Western Province Under-19: 15 Gerard Pieterse, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Justin Heunis, 12 Edrich Venter, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee (captain), 7 Mitchell Carstens, 6 Mervano da Silva, 5 Eduard Zandberg, 4 Jaco Willemse, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Percy Mngadi, 1 Carl Prinsloo.
Replacements: 16 Ruan Brits, 17 Jerome Korf, 18 Keagan Timm, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Daniel Maree, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 Eduan Keyter.
Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi