Boland, Eastern Province, the Sharks and Western Province claimed important wins on Day One of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George.
The opening day of the tournament served up four highly entertaining contests. Boland scored four tries in their 26-19 win against the Valke before EP secured a stunning 26-23 victory against Free State.
There was more drama in the third match of the day, with the WP XV giving a more fancied Sharks side a scare. In the final game of the day, Western Province scored six tries in a convincing 42-12 win against the South Western Districts.
U18 Craven Week Day One:
Western Province 42-12 South Western Districts
The halftime score of 23-07 in favour of Western Province is not a true reflection of the on-field action with the exciting SWD butchering several tries with horrible handling. In the second half, those last-ball-mistakes cost the home team once again several tries with Western Province happy to defend their lead. Western Province scored two late tries while SWD scored their second try after time was up to make the final score 42-12.
Scorers
Western Province: Tries: Cilliers Viljoen, Xola Nyali, Zeke January, Albe Bester, Gino Cupido, Haashim Pead. Conversions: Kyle Smith (3). Penalties: Kyle Smith (2).
SWD: Tries: Ashwin Damons, Andrew Stopforth. Conversion: Elgernon Meyer.
Sharks 34-24 Western Province XV
The Sharks looked as if they are going to humiliate the Western Province XV in the opening minutes of the match, however, although the Sharks opened up a 22-05 lead at the halftime break, Western Province fought back and with minutes to go could have won the match. Unfortunately, an error in defence cost the Western Province and the Sharks secured a 34-24 win.
Scorers:
Sharks: Tries: Siya Ndlozi, Siso France, Campbell Ridl, Luyanda Kunene, Jaco Williams. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Chris Horak.
Western Province XV: Tries: HB Odendaal, Enslin Claasen, Torren February, Juma Amissi. Conversions: Daniel Van Der Merwe.
Free State 23-26 Eastern Province
Free State were the overwhelming favourites and scored one try and converted three penalties in the first half to lead 16-06 going into the second half. However, the boys of Eastern Province slowed the game down and following a blitzkrieg of two tries found themselves in a position to win the game. The Free Staters conceded several penalties which Eastern Province converted to take an early lead. Despite a late try by Free State Eastern Province hung on for a famous 26-23 win.
Scorers:
Cheetahs: Tries: Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron. Conversions: Ian Van Der Merwe (2). Penalties: Ian Van Der Merwe (3)
Eastern Province: Tries: Jamaine Dampies, Hein Terblanche. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2). Penalties: Dominic Malgas (4)
Valke 19-26 Boland
Boland surprised many when the started the game like a house of fire to take an early lead of 19-07 at the end of the first half. Boland was outstanding in the loose asking several questions to the Valke defenders. The Valke closed the game down a lot in the second half winning the arm wrestle in the second half, however, Boland's lead in the first half proved to be enough to secure a deserved win.
Scorers:
Boland: Tries: Ricky Lesch, Callum Van Staden, Seppie September, Petrie Van Dyk. Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3).
Valke: Tries: Zaid Rippenaar, Ruduwaan Rogers, Oregopotse Shilubane. Conversion: Duan Du Toit.
