The DHL Western Province Under-21 team retained their status as the form team in the 2013 Provincial Under-21 tournament with a 32-21 away win over the Blue Bulls U21s on Saturday.

WP led 22-14 at half-time, eventually scoring four tries to three as they won their eighth match in a row this season, with just three league games left in the 2013 season.

Right-wing Craig Barry scored two tries, one either side of half-time, as the visitors bounced back after trailing 0-7 after twelve minutes at Loftus Versfeld.

Province’s other tries were scored by left-wing Devon Williams and fullback Dillyn Leyds, with flyhalf Tim Swiel kicking three conversions and two penalties.

This result means that Province have all but secured a top-two finish this season. The WP youngsters have 39 points from nine matches, followed by the Lions (26 points from eight games) and the Bulls and Sharks (both on 25 points).

The Province U21s have a bye next weekend and will then travel to East London to take on the bottom-of-the-log Border U21s on Saturday, September 28, before finishing up their league campaign against the Lions (home) and the Sharks (away) on successive weekends in October.

“It wasn’t perfect – by no means,” said WP U21 boss John Dobson, “but we’ll take the five points at Loftus and we will spend the bye week working on a few things before those final three matches – two of which are away.”

The DHL Western Province Under-21 scorers:
Tries: Williams, Barry 2, Leyds
Cons: Swiel 3
Pens: Swiel 2

The DHL Western Province Under-21 team (v Bulls): 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Kyle Lombard, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Jurie van Vuuren, 6 Josh Katzen (captain), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Entienne Swanepoel, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Freddie Kirsten, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Sti Sithole, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Jean Nel, 22 Johnny Kotze.

Referee: Lesego ‘Pro’ Legoete