DHL Western Province played to their second draw of the 2013 Absa Currie Cup season on Friday, setting up a top of the table clash with the Sharks in Cape Town this coming weekend.
Province came away with a dramatic 31-31 draw against the MTN Golden Lions in Johannesburg, having led by 15-0 after 16 minutes and 25-10 at half-time. (CLICK HERE for a photo gallery.)
The Lions fought back strongly in the second half, however, with WP eventually having to settle for the draw when flyhalf Kurt Coleman landed a penalty goal at the final whistle.
“We started well,” said DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee about Friday's clash at Ellis Park. “We took it to them, that was the plan and the first half certainly went according to plan.
“I actually thought we missed a few more scoring opportunities in the first half and then, of course, things changed somewhat in the second half.”
A 46th-minute yellow card to inside centre Damian de Allende proved to be a turning point in the game – a tough call on the hard-working No.12 who had made a try-saving tackle on Lions fullback Marnitz Boshoff. Not only were DHL WP a man down for ten minutes, but they also conceded a penalty try, which put the Lions within striking distance for the first time in the game (at 17-25).
WP, to their credit, 'won' the rest of the 10-minute period with De Allende in the bin, but Coetzee admitted: “The yellow card was a big moment in the game, it took a lot out of us, as the remaining 14 players had to make a lot of tackles.
“That said, I was still disappointed that we weren't able to come away with the win. The yellow card aside, one or two defensive lapses also cost us – one such moment coming when we had them under pressure in their 22.
“But, even with the draw, there were a whole of positives (for us). I thought we scrummed well, we carried the ball well and we created opportunities. We have a lot to work on this week, but we have a good base to work from.”
Coetzee was happy to report a clean bill of health within his squad after the weekend, whilst he hopes to have flyhalves Gary van Aswegen and Demetri Catrakilis (both of whom have shoulder injuries) back in the selection mix ahead of Saturday's mouth-watering tussle with the Sharks at DHL Newlands (kick-off 19h10).
The WP boss concluded: “We will take a look at Gary and Demetri at training tomorrow (Monday) in terms of their availability for the Sharks game.
“No new injury worries allows us an opportunity to build continuity from week to week (in terms of selection), but the Sharks will be a different challenge for us and we have a lot of work ahead of us this week.”
The Sharks, with three wins from four matches, are top of the Absa Currie Cup log at present, followed by the Free State Cheetahs in second place – just ahead of DHL WP on points' difference.
A win for Western Province, over the Sharks on Saturday, could see Province – the defending champions and the only unbeaten team in the 2013 competition – end the first half of the season in first position on the log.
* Match tickets for Saturday can be purchased online, by clicking here, from Postnet Outlets or the Newlands Box Office (from Tuesday). Tickets are now also available at the following Western Cape SPAR stores: Old Oak SPAR, SPAR Philippi, SPAR Century & Plattekloof SUPERSPAR, with ALL Western Cape SPAR stores to follow over the next few weeks.
Ticket prices start at just R35 (for standing), with seating tickets priced from R65 to R95. Scholars tickets can be purchased directly from the WP Rugby offices.
