Thrilling Saturday for Craven Week
The Golden Lions and Free State threw their names into the hat for a place in the final match of the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week this Saturday with commanding wins, while Boland, Blue Bulls and Sharks CD rose to the top in the Coca-Cola Academy Week as they remained unbeaten following their second round of matches.
In the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, the Bidvest Golden Lions defeated the Enrista Blue Bulls 41-14, while Free State thumped the Leopards 86-14 to join DHL Western Province and the Pumas as the only unbeaten teams in the competition going into Saturday’s final round.
In the Coca-Cola Academy Week, meanwhile, Boland beat Namibia 37-28, the Blue Bulls outplayed the Leopards 77-7, and Sharks CD pipped Pumas CD 32-27 to retain their unbeaten status along with DHL Western Province, the Sharks and the SA LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) team.
Western Province are likely to face the Golden Lions in the final match of the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week.
A combined total of 720 points were scored in the two competitions on Thursday, with 48 tries in the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week to contribute to the 329 points scored for the day, while 53 tries and 391 points were scored in the Coca-Cola Academy Week.
In the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week the Golden Lions defeated the Blue Bulls in the final match of the day as their forwards and backs combined well to outplay to their Gauteng neighbours. The Blue Bulls discipline was poor and they conceded four yellow cards during the match, which did not help their cause.
They were denied an early try due to a knock-on on the tryline, but they were forced onto the back-foot for the rest of the half as the Lions created point-scoring chances and used them well to out-score the Bulls two tries to one, while they added two penalty goals for a 20-7 lead. The Blue Bulls tried hard to force their way back into the match in the second half, but the effective Lions attack combined with the Blue Bulls’ struggle to break through the defence regularly and mistakes at crucial times, resulted in the Pretoria side going down 41-14.
Lions centre Wandisile Simelane was again instrumental in the victory as he touched down twice and added five penalties and two penalties for a personal tally of 26 points.
The Free State, meanwhile, delivered a solid display against the Leopards using their pace and skill on attack to break through the defence, while they converted their try-scoring chances into points with ease.
The players will have Friday off to rest and recover, which will be followed by the final day’s play on Saturday.
With all 44 teams playing on the final day, the matches will be contested on six fields, four at Kearsney College and two at Glenwood High School.
U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week day four results (Thursday, 14 July – Kearsney Stott Field):
Note to Editors: Click on the hyperlinks below to get the run-of-play for each match
Eastern Province CD 62 (26) – 5 (0) Border CD
Valke 43 (17) – 24 (17) Komati Fruit Limpopo Blue Bulls
Free State 86 (44) – 14 (0) Leopards
Enrista Blue Bulls 14 (7) – 41 (20) Bidvest Golden Lions
Coca-Cola Academy Week day four results (Thursday, 14 July - AH Smith Oval):
Limpopo Blue Bulls 21 (14) – 62 (29) Konica Minolta Free State
Border CD 8 (3) – 43 (19) GWK Griquas
Sharks CD 32 (20) – 27 (10) Pumas CD
Blue Bulls 77 (41) – 7 (7) Leopards