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Ruthless DHL WP U21s power ahead

PUBLISHED: October 5, 2013


The table-topping DHL Western Province Under-21 team beat the Lions by 39-5 at DHL Newlands, stretching their unbeaten run to 10 matches and also securing top spot on the 2013 Absa Provincial Under-21 log.

Province scored seven tries to one, having rushed into a 10-0 lead within eight minutes of action – superbly constructed tries by outside centre Pat Howard and left-wing Devon Williams putting them on the front foot.

The DHL WP U21s never looked back after that and led 20-5 at half-time, after tries by right-wing Craig Barry and Howard (again), also securing the four-try bonus point before the interval.

Flyhalf Tim Swiel missed all four first-half conversions, but fullback Dillyn Leyds landed two in the second half as Williams (pictured, above), skipper Rayn Smid and No.6 flanker Justin Benn ran in second-half tries.

WP have now secured 49 log points from 11 league matches – giving them a 10-point lead over the second-placed Sharks, whom they face in Durban next weekend.

Province will thus have a home semifinal against one of the Lions or FS Cheetahs Under-21 teams, with either of those teams still able to finish in fourth place.

The DHL Western Province Under-21 scorers:
Tries: Howard 2, Williams 2, Barry, Smid, Benn
Cons: Leyds 2

The DHL Western Province Under-21 team (v Lions): 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Kobus van Wyk, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid (captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Justin Benn, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Entienne Swanepoel, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Jean Kleyn, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jean Nel, 21 Johnny Kotze, 22 JP Lewis.

Referee: Jaco van Heerden