Western Province defeats Leopards to register their first win in 2011 Currie Cup – Rugby news
South African Rugby Union (SARU) provincial side Western Province, have finally opened their account in the 2011 ABSA Currie Cup. Province delivered a beating to the Leopards in their second match of the tournament at Olen Park, Potchefstroom on Friday,
July 22.
Province registered their bonus point victory over the Leopards by outscoring them five tries to nil.
Leopards, who were playing in their home ground, started the match in good form. They were first to score points in the match courtesy of their fly half Clayton Durand’s first of the three penalties in the match. Durand successfully kicked his first penalty
in the second minute of the game.
Western Province equalised with their newly promoted first choice fly half Demetri Catrakilis’ fifth minute penalty. Durand kicked his second penalty of the game in the seventh minute of the game to again put the hosts in the lead.
Province replied aggressively as they sent their winger JJ Engelbrecht to score the game’s first try in the 12th minute of the game. Catrakilis followed with his successful conversion to leave the host’s trailing by 4 points.
With both games playing attacking open rugby, the score board moved freely. Durand scored his third and last penalty in the 19th minute of game to take the scorecard reading 9 – 10 in favour of Province. Durand’s penalty was Leopards’ last scoring
opportunity of the match.
Catrakilis scored two consecutive penalties in the 23rd and 26th minute of the game to extend their lead, as they slowly took control of the game. With a couple of minute remaining in the first-half, Province’s prop Brok Harris scored
their second try, which was followed by Catrakilis’ conversion to make it 23 – 9.
Leopards trailing by 14 points started the last half of the game with the intent to claw their way back but they failed to capitalise on their ball and territorial possession. Province on the other hand retained the ball possession and started to control
the territory.
Catrakilis open the account for Province in the second-half with his 47th minute penalty. In the next ten minutes of the game, both teams tried hard to score but failed to do so.
Province’s centre, Johann Sadie, scored their third try of the game in the 59th minut to extend their lead to 22 points. Catrakilis followed by his conversion, as Province consolidated their control over the game.
Province’s star lock De kock Steenkamp scored their bonus point try in the 72nd minute. Catrakilis followed with his conversion to take the scorecard reading 40 – 9.
With a couple of minute remaining in the end of the game, Provinces, number eight Nick Koster got a score which was followed by Catrakilis to take the scorecard reading 47 – 9.
The bonus point victory has taken Province’s total points in the tournament to seven points in their two matches in the tournament.
Tags: