Photo by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
It has been the worst start for the Bulls to a season for a long time but the win over Highlanders (38-13) gave their supporters a lot of hope for the future. The first twenty minutes made the Bulls supporters even more confident, and then it happened again. The Reds scored 41 unanswered points to convincingly beat the Vodacom Bulls 41-17, six tries to three..
The Bulls lead the Reds 17-14 after a half where the Bulls dominated the possession and the territory. The Reds will not be too disappointed with just a 3-point margin given those stats. Reds looked to be lacking structure in their set plays and not always holding the line when under attacking pressure from the Bulls. Specman and Gelant for the Bulls were outstanding as expected and will keep causing the Reds headaches unless contained out wide.
It was a dominant second-half performance by the Reds. It was a game of two halves - Gelant and Specman were front and centre in the first 40, but hardly seen in the second. Liam Wright lead the Reds well with great support from Speight and O'Connor especially, but it was a whole team effort overall
Scorers:
Reds: Tries: Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Isaac Lucas, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Conversion: Bryce Hegarty (4). Penalties: Bryce Hegarty.
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Warrick Gelant, Rosko Speckman, Embrose Papier. Conversions: Manie Libbok.
The teams:
Reds: 15. Jock Campbell, 14. Bryce Hegarty, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12. Hamish Stewart, 11. Henry Speight, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Scott Malolua, 8. Harry Wilson, 7. Liam Wright, 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Harry Hockings, 4. Angus Blyth, 3. Taniela Tupou, 2. Alex Mafi, 1. Dane Zander. Replacements: 16. Ed Craig, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Angus Scott-Young, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Isaac Lucas, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Divan Rossouw, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Franco Naude, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Ian Groenewald, 3. Trevor Nyakane (Capt), 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ryno Pieterse, 20. Ruan Steenkamp, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Morné Steyn, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuuren.