Eastern Province and Western Province maintained their unbeaten records, while there were wins for the hosts, South Western Districts, and Free State on the third day of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George.
U18 Craven Week Day Three Fixtures:
Western Province 35-24 Sharks
Western Province took only two minutes to score the first try of the match in the corner following great hands and interplay. Not to be outdone the Sharks took a more conservative approach and scored their first try, following several attacks on the Western Province's tryline, after ten minutes of play, to which Western Province replied with their second try from the kick off. Although Western Province "dominated" the first half the Sharks stayed in contact with the Western Province leading 27-14 at the halftime break. The second half was all-action with both teams having several scoring opportunities, however, Western Province managed to maintain their lead and deservedly won 35-24.
Scorers:
Western Province: Tries: Justin Amos, Haashim Pead, Jameel De Jongh, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (3). Penalties: Yaqeen Ahmed (3).
Sharks: Tries: Phiwo Kubheka, Liam Terblanche, Maurice Willemse. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Chris Horak.
Eastern Province 40-26 Boland
Boland looked the dominant team early in the first half, however, great rugby by Eastern Province in the final stages of the first half reduced Boland's lead to 20-12 going into the second half. Both teams were willing to spread the ball wide at every opportunity, resulting in exciting rugby and keeping the spectators on their feet. However, in the end, Eastern Province did enough to secure a 40-26 win after an exciting 70 minutes of rugby.
Scorers:
Eastern Province: Tries: Dewet Fourie (2), Burrie Van Heerden, Aiden De Villiers, Imaani Pemba, Dominic Malgas. Conversions: Lucraine Muggels, Dominic Malgas. Penalties: Lucraine Muggels (2).
Boland: Tries: Petrus Coetzee, Carick Kustoor (2), James Daniels. Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3).
Western Province XV 14-54 Free State
The Free State had a great start and scored the first three tries of the match early in the first half to lead 21-00 after twenty minutes of play. The Free State continued their dominance in the second half and led 42-00 at the halftime break. Western Province scored their first try with seventeen minutes left to play in the second half. The match lost a lot of its momentum with the Free State eventually winning 54-14 with both teams scoring two tries in the second half.
Scorers:
Western Province XV: Tries: Louw Du Toit, Daniel Van Der Merwe. Conversions: Leejay Petersen (2).
Free State: Tries: Ranon Fouche, Stefan Venter, Jean-henri Smit, Keegan Scholtz, JJ Theron, Christiaan Van Der Westhuizen, Pieter Van Der Merwe, Pharrel Van Wyk. Conversions: Ian Van Der Merwe (7)
Valke 19-20 South Western Districts
The Valke opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the match to lead 03-00, however, SWD started to dominate up front and scored a try from a driving maul after 15 minutes of play. The Valke replied with a try and another converted a penalty to lead 11-05 at the halftime break. Discipline proved a major problem for the Vallke boys who were shown an early red and two yellow cards during the second half. SWD played champagne rugby during the second half, however, they could only score the winning points with a minute left left on the clock to play.
Scorers:
Valke: Tries: Lynhge Pretorius, Oregopotse Shilubane. Penalties: Duan Du Toit (3)
SWD: Tries: Brendan Gouws, Keanon Jantjies, Jay-jay Daters, Kurt Coetzee.
15h00: Western Province v Sharks
