Photo by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
A horrible match played in horrible conditions refereed by an even worse referee, and the Bulls lost again, still unable to register a first win of the season. This sum up the game between the Blues and Bulls which was won by the Blues 23-21.
In extremely wet conditions both teams tried their best to open up the game that only lead to mistakes being made. Morne Steyn slotted two penalties to give the Vodacom Bulls a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Although the Bulls were down to thirteen men after two yellow cards the Blues could "only" score one try, after setting up camp in the Vodacom Bulls 22 for most of the second quarter. A try by Morne Steyn after the siren brought a somewhat controversial first half, that saw three yellow cards handed out, to an end in tough conditions at Loftus Versfeld with the Bulls 11-8 in the lead.
The first quarter of the second half belonged to the Blues with even the Vodacom Bulls faithful quiet, very quiet. Two tries by the Blues gave them a 20-14 lead after 20 minutes on the second half.
The Vodacom Bulls wisdom to refuse 8 kickable penalties would have been questioned had they not score at the end. This try was unfortunately not enough to secure a win as a yet another penalty gave the Blues a win with two points, 23-21
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Morne Steyn, Jeandré Rudolph. Conversion: Manie Libbok. Penalties: Morne Steyn (3)
Blues: Tries: Mark Telea, Tom Robinson, Stephen Perofeta. Conversion: Otere Black. Penalties: Otere Black (2)
The teams:
Vodacom Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Wian Vosloo, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Blues: 15. Stephen Perofeta, 14. Emoni Narawa, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Harry Plummer, 11. Mark Telea, 10. Otere Black, 9. Jonathan Ruru, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 7. Tony Lamborn, 6. Tom Robinson, 5. Jacob Pierce, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3. Sione Mafileo, 2. James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe. Replacements: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Aaron Carroll, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. TJ Faiane, 23. Matt Duffie.