FEATURED

First defeat for DHL WP Under-19s

PUBLISHED: August 30, 2014


The table-topping DHL Western Province Under-19 side suffered a first defeat of 2014, as they went down by 29-44 to the Blue Bulls Under-19s at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls Under-19s led by 25-5 at half-time, as they avenged their 11-16 defeat to the Province Under-19s at DHL Newlands two weeks ago.

Whilst a big defeat is never nice, the DHL WP Under-19s still lead the 2014 Absa Provincial Under-19 log after seven matches – one point ahead of the selfsame Bulls who have lost twice this year to WP’s one defeat.

Replacement scrumhalf Damian Stevens scored a crucial intercept try on the stroke of full-time to secure a four-try bonus point for the DHL WP Under-19 side, right-wing Grant Hermanus having touched down either side of half-time to keep his team within striking distance.

In fact, despite WP’s poor start to the game, a try from prop Kyle White took the score to 15-30 as the match entered the final quarter. The Bulls, however, hit back with two more converted tries, before Stevens streaked almost the full length of the field for that valuable fourth try.

Starting flyhalf Brandon Thomson kicked one conversion and one penalty goal, whilst replacement and deadeye kicker Ernst Stapelberg converted two of his team’s four tries.

The Province Under-19s have a bye next weekend and will hopefully welcome back some star players from injury, having gone into this encounter without hooker Daniel du Plessis, props Frans van Wyk, Mihlali Mtongana and Frans van der Merwe, scrumhalf Justin Phillips, wing Leolin Zas and inside centre Dan du Plessis.

The likes of Mtongana, Van Wyk, Phillips, Zas and Dan du Plessis should be due back in action soon enough, a bonus for coach Nazeem Adams, but hooker Du Plessis is still expected to be sidelined.

The scorers:

For Blue Bulls Under-19:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Murphy, Liebenberg 2, Van Zyl, Jenkins, Van Wyk
Cons: Human, Webster 2
Pens: Human

For DHL Western Province Under-19:
Tries: Hermanus 2, White, Stevens
Cons: Thomson, Stapelberg 2
Pen: Thomson

The teams:

Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-19: 15 Wyatt Murphy, 14 Jinx Molapo, 13 Jurie Linde, 12 Adrian Maebane, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dewald Human, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Calvonn Allison, 6 Menzi Nhlabathi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Matthys Basson, 2 Jan van der Merwe, 1 Njabula Gumede.
Replacements: 16 Desmond Stramis, 17 Xander van Wyk, 18 Abongile Nonkontwana, 19 Denzel Hill, 20 Theo Maree, 21 Kurt Webster, 22 Dimitrio Tieties, 23 Stefaan Grundelingh.

DHL Western Province Under-19: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Grant Hermanus, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Ryan Oosthuizen, 11 Dewald Naude, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Brendon Nell, 8 Rikus Bothma (captain), 7 Luke Stringer, 6 Charlton Jonas, 5 Floris Pelser, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Lebohang Mdakane, 2 Paul-Martin Wipplinger, 1 Kyle Whyte.
Replacements: 16 Hanno Snyman, 17 Regardt Louw, 18 Brett Paulse, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Dian Koen, 21 Damian Stevens, 22 Ernst Stapelberg, 23 Khanyo Ngcukana.

Referee: Eduan Nel