It was a proper try-fest in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division this weekend, with 28 five-pointers scored in three matches, indicating a clear attacking mindset amongst the six teams in action in Kimberley, Durban and Cape Town.
Victory by the Cell C Sharks over the Vodacom Bulls saw them move top of the standings, while the Sigma Lions boosted their play-off hopes with victory against Tafel Lager Griquas, as did DHL Western Province, who came from behind for their win against the Toyota Cheetahs.
No less than 12 tries, six by each side, were scored in Kimberley on Friday, where the Sigma Lions secured a vital win away from home, beating the Tafel Lager Griquas 45-42 and thereby halting the strong run the Tafel Lager Park team enjoyed in recent weeks.
A strong second half by the Cell C Sharks, with three second half tries in quick succession, saw the Durban side record a 35-28 win over the Vodacom Bulls, who looked set to maintain their lead on the standings after leading 20-13 at the break, but the comeback effort by the KwaZulu-Natalians saw them not only moving past the men from Pretoria on the scoreboard, but also the log.
DHL WP conceded four tries in the opening 40 minutes of their match against their visitors from Bloemfontein, but they recovered brilliantly to edge out the Toyota Cheetahs 40-39 in a thrilling encounter on Saturday.
We discuss the past weekend's action and are disappointed with the defence of all teams
DHL WP fightback floors Toyota Cheetahs in a thriller.
DHL Western Province staged a stunning second-half fightback to claim a crucial 40-39 win over the Toyota Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday afternoon to bolster their Carling Currie Cup playoff aspirations.
At kick-off, the teams found themselves at the wrong end of the log, but after 80 minutes of breathless action, the hosts had eked out the narrowest of bonus-point wins that saw them move from sixth to fourth in the standings whilst leaving the Free Staters behind in last place.
The Capetonians’ bench did their best Springbok “Bomb Squad” impression, providing game-changing impetus that led to three tries and a match-winning penalty goal by Tim Swiel six minutes from full-time as John Dobson’s charges avenged the 38-21 loss, they suffered in Bloemfontein in the sixth round.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 40 (16) – Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Evan Roos, Seabelo Senatla, Godlen Masimla. Conversions: Tim Swiel (4). Penalties: Tim Swiel (4).
Toyota Cheetahs 39 (28) – Tries: Jeandré Rudolph (2), Cohen Jasper, Tian Meyer, Chris Smit. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (4). Penalties: Ruan Pienaar (2).
Cell C Sharks blitz Vodacom Bulls to soar to the summit.
A Grant Williams-inspired Cell C Sharks side rediscovered their attacking edge to clinch a 35-28 Carling Currie Cup victory over the Vodacom Bulls in Durban on Friday night.
Reeling after a stinging 37-27 loss to Tafel Lager Griquas last weekend, Cell C Sharks coach Sean Everitt sought a big response from his charges, and they showed fight to trail by just 20-13 at half-time after having just 29% possession and losing a player to a yellow card.
The tables took a drastic turn shortly after half-time as the visitors went down to 14 men. Smelling blood in the water, the Cell C Sharks rediscovered their killer instinct as they scored 19 points in this 10-minute period, which put them on their way to a bonus-point win over the defending champions.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks 35 (13) – Tries: Le Roux Roets, Kerron van Vuuren, Grant Williams, Murray Koster. Conversions: Lionel Cronje (3). Penalties: Lionel Cronje (3).
Vodacom Bulls 28 (20) – Tries: Elrigh Louw, Lizo Gqoboka, Arno Botha. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2). Penalties: Johan Goosen (2), Chris Smith.
Sigma Lions edge Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley try-fest.
The Sigma Lions had to withstand a ferocious Tafel Lager Griquas onslaught in the second half of their Carling Currie Cup clash in Kimberley on Friday, but held on for a nail-biting 45-42 win over their Northern Cape rivals.
The visitors from Jozi visitors held a comfortable 28-7 lead at the break and secured their four-try bonus-point before the interval. However, the Kimberley side came storming back with five second half tries to take the match right down to the wire.
Fortunately for the Sigma Lions, they managed to bag two themselves, with a Jordan Hendrikse penalty goal halfway through the second half proving vital for the visitors in the end to secure second win of the competition and first one on the road.
Scorers:
Tafel Lager Griquas 42 (7) – Tries: Enver Brandt, Mox Mxoli, Reagan Oranje, Hanru Sirgel, Ederies Arendse, Eduan Keyter. Conversions: George Whitehead (6).
Sigma Lions 45 (28) – Tries: Andre Warner, Duncan Matthews (2), Carlu Sadie, Jordan Hendrikse, Ruhan Straeuli. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (6), Penalty: Jordan Hendrikse.