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DHL WP U21 edged out by Lions U21

PUBLISHED: August 26, 2016


DHL Western Province U21 fought back bravely, but could not avoid a 26-24 defeat against the Xerox Golden Lions U21 at Emirates Airline Park on Friday.

DHL Western Province U21 fought back bravely, but could not avoid a 26-24 defeat against the Xerox Golden Lions U21 at Emirates Airline Park on Friday.

It was the first defeat of the season for coach Jerome Paarwater’s team, who showed good character to take the lead in the final stages, only to lose outto a late penalty from the home side.

The home side drew first blood through an early penalty, but DHL Western Province U21 would score the first try of the match as inside centre Heinrich Buhr crossed to put them 10-5 ahead.

Neither side was willing to give much away in a fierce contest, which saw impressive defensive discipline from both teams.

The Xerox Golden Lions XV responded with a try of their own, and held out in the face of some serious pressure from DHL Western Province U21 to take a 10-5 lead into the half-time break.

The hosts extended their lead with a penalty early in the second half, and followed that up with another converted try to make it 20-5.

However, DHL Western Province U21 refused to give in, and two quick tries from No.8 Jaco Coetzee and right wing Duncan Saal put them right back in the game.

The Xerox Golden Lions U21 kicked a penalty to give themselves a bit of breathing room, but DHL Western Province took the lead in dramatic fashion when Saal crossed for his second try, with the conversion from Grant Hermanus putting them 24-23 up.

But it would be the home side that would have the final say as a late penalty sealed the result.

The scorers:

For DHL Western Province U21:
Tries: Buhr, Coetzee, Saal 2
Cons: Hermanus 2

DHL Western Province U21: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Heinrich Buhr, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Jaco Willemse, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Hanno Snyman, 1 Kyle Whyte.
Replacements: 16 Granton Greaves, 17 Ruben Terblanche, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Eduard Zandberg, 20 Christo van der Merwe, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Eduaan Keyter.