The DHL Western Province Under-19 team suffered a 13-21 defeat to the Golden Lions Under-19s at DHL Newlands on Saturday, effectively ending their semifinal hopes in the process.
A converted Lions try six minutes from full-time condemned Province to a gut-wrenching home defeat, the brave WP youngsters having trailed the Lions by just one point going into the final quarter of this ding-dong affair.
WP had their chances, with some last-minute decision-making letting them down, but Lions left-wing Carlisle Nel's try almost under the poles – in the 64th minute – put the game out of the home side's reach.
Province continued to hammer away at their opponents, right up until full-time, but it was a bridge too far in the end for Nazeem Adams's team.
WP led 8-6 at half-time, with both teams scoring two tries on the day, the Lions' second score handing them an eight-point lead in a crucial stage of the match.
The DHL Western Province Under-19 scorers:
Tries: Worrall, Adonis
Pen: Smith
The DHL Western Province Under-19 team (v Lions): 15 Jason Worrall, 14 Dewald Naude, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Michal Haznar, 11 Jason Morris, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Pieter Schoonraad, 8 Ramone Samuels (captain), 7 Luke van der Smit, 6 Ruan Rossouw, 5 Sebastian Negri, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Michael van Tonder, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Wesley Adonis.
Replacements: 16 Josh Moon, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Nathan Gogela, 19 Attie van Rensburg, 20 Johan de Villiers, 21 Jonty Breddell, 22 Dalen Goliath, 23 Shane Grundlingh.
Referee: Christie du Preez