The DHL Western Province Under-21 team extended their lead at the top of the Provincial Under-21 standings by claiming a deserved 32-13 win over the FS Cheetahs U21s on Saturday.
The home side led 24-5 at half-time in the wet and muddy conditions at Stellenbosch's Markötter Fields, but they managed a four-try bonus point to make it a doubly successful day at Paul Roos for WP's youth teams.
The WP Under-21s now have 29 points from seven league matches in 2013, giving them a four-point lead over rivals, the Blue Bulls and Sharks, with today having signalled the start of the second half of the season.
Flyhalf Tim Swiel converted three of his team's four tries, whilst he also kicked two penalty goals in the wet.
WP's tries were scored by loose forwards Eital Bredenkamp and Sikhumbuzo Notshe and winger JP Lewis (in the first half), with fullback Craig Barry's 73rd-minute effort securing the four-try bonus point.
“We went into the game with a few changes from our previous match and, of course, the weather made things tough, but I was happy with the four points – especially with what happened against Free State (last time out),” WP U21 coach John Dobson said.
“We've worked hard to be where we are – on top of the log – and we want to continue building our lead, despite having some away matches ahead of us.”
The DHL Western Province Under-21 scorers:
Tries: Bredenkamp, Notshe, Lewis, Barry
Cons: Swiel 3
Pens: Swiel 2
The DHL WP Under-21 team (v FS Cheetahs): 15 Craig Barry, 14 JP Lewis, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Kobus van Wyk, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Jean Nel, 8 Rayn Smid (captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Eital Bredenkamp, 5 Jean Kleyn, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Entienne Swanepoel,
2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Cobus Nel, 19 Justin Benn, 20 Godlen Masimla, 21 Kyle Lombard, 22 John-Ben Kotze.
Referee: Ben Crouse