The DHL Western Province Under-19 team wrapped up the league phase of the 2012 Provincial Under-19 Competition with another victory, as the team from Cape Town sealed a first place finish on the log.
The WP Under-19s converted a 22-0 half-time lead into a 27-13 victory over a tenacious SWD Eagles Under-19 side in George on Friday – seeing them end on 50 log points from 12 matches, thanks to their ten victories this season.
With the Sharks also ending on a high on Friday, as they beat the junior Leopards 47-45 in Durban, it means that the log-topping DHL WP Under-19s will face the Golden Lions U19s in next weekend’s semifinals. The Sharks, meanwhile, will travel to Pretoria for their semifinal meeting. (Both kick-off times are yet to be confirmed.)
The WP U19s were in a rampant mood in the first half at Outeniqua Park on Friday, as flanker Eital Bredenkamp crashed over in the third minute.
Flyhalf Tommy Allan missed the conversion, but it did not matter as three more tries inside the first 25 minutes – by Jean Kleyn, Allan and Janco Gunter – saw the visitors rack up a four-try bonus point well before half-time.
WP coach Nazeem Adams rang the changes after half-time, with captain Freddie Kirsten amongst the players coming off, and the Men in Blue & White stripes lost a bit of shape on attack.
Nathaniel Billy (fullback) and Juan Pierre Hugo (No.8) scored tries for the Eagles, but a late effort by replacement WP hooker Brianton Booysen – on for skipper Kirsten – sealed an eighth bonus point victory (out of those ten wins in all) for the DHL WP juniors.
The scorers:
For SWD Eagles Under-19:
Tries: Billy, Hugo
Pen: Nel
For DHL Western Province Under-19:
Tries: Bredenkamp, Kleyn, Allan, Gunter, Booysen
Con: Allan