A stirring comeback was not enough to save DHL Western Province as they went down 21-28 to the Free State Cheetahs in Absa Currie Cup action in Bloemfontein on Friday night.
Facing a 15-25 first-half deficit, having at one stage been down by 25 points to three, DHL WP chased the game brilliantly but had to be content with a losing bonus point in the end.
However, their slow start, which saw them concede three early tries, ultimately cost them as they lost their second game in a row this season – both, however, being away from home.
Province’s tries were scored by speedster Seabelo Senatla and flanker Rynhard Elstadt – both in the first half – as they outscored the Cheetahs by 18-3 in the final 48 minutes of this match and by 6-3 in the second half.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kicked one conversion and one penalty in the first half, with replacement No.10 Kurt Coleman landing two penalties in the second half as DHL WP narrowed the scoreline to 21-25 going into the final quarter.
From there an unconverted try would have won it for the defending champions, who had runners like Johnny Kotze, Cheslin Kolbe and Dillyn Leyds making great inroads out wide, but a 72nd minute penalty goal by Sias Ebersohn stretched the lead back to seven points.
DHL Western Province did not give up, however, as Kolbe and co. pushed for that match-winning score – only to be denied when they conceded a penalty in the final act of play.
After two weeks on the road, Province will be back at home next Saturday against ORC Griquas (kick-off 17h00).
The scorers:
For the Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
Tries: Jordaan, Venter, Benjamin
Cons: Zeilinga 2
Pens: Zeilinga 2, Ebersohn
For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Senatla, Elstadt
Con: Catrakilis
Pens: Catrakilis, Coleman 2
The teams:
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Burrie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Ruan van Rensburg, 21 Tertius Kruger, 22 Sias Ebersohn.
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Jaco Taute (vice-captain), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JP Smith, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Chris Cloete, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Dillyn Leyds.
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, Pieter Maritz
TMO: Willie Vos