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Title glory for DHL WP Under-21s

PUBLISHED: October 26, 2013


The DHL Western Province Under-21 team proved that they are indeed the best young team in the country with a 30-23 win over the Blue Bulls in today’s Absa Provincial Under-21 Final at DHL Newlands.

The WP Under-21 team lost just one match in 2013 – in Bloemfontein against the Free State Cheetahs in July, some 14 games ago – as they shrugged off the loss of star prop Oli Kebble to record WP's first win at this level since 2010.

Province finished their regular league season with a staggering 54 log points from 12 matches – scoring 478 points and conceding just 193. In the process, they also scored the most tries – 97 – and conceded the fewest – 26 – of all teams in the 2013 Absa Provincial Under-21 Competition.

Flyhalf Tim Swiel, who scored 15 points in the final, ended as the top points-scorer overall with 180 points, whilst outside backs Craig Barry (nine) and Devon Williams (eight) finished amongst the top try-scorers.

No.7 flank Sikhumbuzo Notshe walked off with the official Man of the Match honours afterwards, as captain Josh Katzen – a two-try hero for his side – held the trophy aloft ahead of the 2013 Absa Currie Cup Final between DHL WP and the Sharks.

“It was a pleasing win for us against a star-studded Bulls team,” Province Under-21 coach John Dobson told www.wprugby.com, referring to the Bulls' selection of Springbok Jan Serfontein.

“We had some big injury disruptions heading into the play-offs, losing key men like Ollie Kebble, Gerbrandt Grobler and Jurie van Vuuren, but the guys stuck to their guns and showed great commitment. I am a proud coach, but (also) thankful to my fellow coaches and players.”

The final was always going to be a tight affair and although their line-out did not function well in the first half, the home side used their forwards to good effect, with two of their three tries coming via the rolling maul.

Swiel opened the scoring in the first minute of play when the Blue Bulls strayed off-side at the kick-off. His opponent Handrè Pollard responded in kind minutes later, but another from Swiel had his side soon back in the lead.

A Bulls try was disallowed due to a forward pass, but Pollard – one of many senior players selected by the Bulls on the day – provided some solace for the visitors with a penalty. Swiel again responded, kicking his third penalty, but the Bulls hit back again. A good kick chase by Kefentse Mahlo resulted in William Small-Smith racing over in the corner and a 13-9 lead.

Province, however, showed some true grit though and some bravery – as they have done all season. An option to kick for the corner from a kickable penalty was rewarded when Katzen drove over behind his pack.

Swiel kicked a tight conversion to get the lead back again. Pollard had a long-range effort on the stroke of half-time, but he just came up short as the WP U21s went into the break leading 16-13.

The second half started with WP extending their lead with another Katzen try following a rolling maul. Again a decision for the attacking line-out was rewarded.

A yellow card to Blue Bulls lock Irne Herbst for a high tackle made things worse for the visitors. Battling for some momentum at this stage, they did string a couple of good phases together, resulting in a third Pollard penalty (23-16).

The WP scored again, this time rewarding the pack for their field position when outside back Pat Howard scored from close-range. Swiel kicked the conversion.

Having to score twice forced the Blue Bulls into a more attacking pattern and the introduction of some fresh legs off the bench gave them impetus.

A converted try by replacement wing Dries Swanepoel gave the Blue Bulls a sniff again, but WP held on for a deserved win.

The DHL WP Under-21 scorers:
Tries: Katzen 2, Howard
Cons: Swiel 3
Pens: Swiel 3

The DHL Western Province Under-21 team (final, v Blue Bulls): 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Kobus van Wyk, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Josh Katzen (captain), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Entienne Swanepoel, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Justin Ackerman.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Carel du Preez, 19 Eital Bredenkamp, 20 Jean Nel, 21 Craig Barry, 22 JP Lewis.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge