Free State and Blue Bulls dazzle at Coca-Cola Craven Week
Jan Serfontein in photo by Denese Lups
The Free State Under-18s and Blue Bulls Under-18 teams kicked off the 2011 edition of the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week to an entertaining start after both teams secured convincing victories during the action of day one at GKW Park in Kimberley.
In the penultimate match of the day, the Bloemfontein team ran in seven tries against the Pumas during their 56-32 win; while the Pretoria side also scored seven five-pointers during their game against the Boland Cavaliers.
Grey College flyhalf Pieter Jordaan – brother of SA Under-20 and Springbok Sevens talent Paul Jordaan – ran in four tries during Free State’s convincing victory over the Pumas. The inter play between Jordaan and centers Jan Serfontein and Andries Swanepoel was one of the highlights of the match which saw both teams play a running brand of rugby throughout the match.
Serfontein also added his name to the try-scorers sheet, as did winger Francois Pretorius and fullback Jannie Strumpher. Strumpher enjoyed a successful game with the boot by kicking six conversions and three penalties to end the match with a personal points haul of 26.
The Pumas for their part also contributed to the running rugby spectacle and were rewarded with five tries which were scored by Anele Blaaw, Gysie Du Plessis, Ivan Gouws, Kwagga Simth and Jan Visser. Centre Tyrone Pienaar kicked a penalty and a conversion; while Kobus Wolmarans also added one penalty.
The Blue Bulls U18s also dazzled the crowd at GWK Park on Monday with their running rugby after they secured a 50-15 win over the Boland Cavaliers. Hooker Dayan van der Westhuizen and No.8 Roelof Smit each added braces while man of the match Juan Gunter (centre), prop Justin Forwood, and fullback Sean Robinson were the other try-scorers for the Pretoria team. Flyhalf Francois Tredoux kicked one penalty and six conversions to end the match with a points’ tally of 15.
Meanwhile tourists Namibia stunned the Platinum Leopards during the opening match of day one after they defeated the Potchefstroom team by 40-19. The Leopards were outscored by five tries to four, and could have easily conceded further points during this match which saw both teams make numerous handling errors.
Daniel Arries (2), Pieter Cronje (2) and Donavan Kandjii were the try-scorers for the Namibians. Denver Murorua kicked a conversion while Lou Rickerts added two conversions, a drop goal and two penalties. The Leopards’ tries were scored by Adriaan Esterhuizen (2), Hermanus Smith and Wynand Bosman while Adriaan Esterhuizen added the conversion.
The Valke U18 team also ran in six tries during their 42-15 victory over the Eastern Province Central Districts (CD) at GWK Park on Monday. Armandt Peens, Christiaan Meyer, Frederick Roodt, Jacobus Cronje, Johan van Tonder and Tiaan Ramat were the try scorers for the Valke while Warren Potgieter kicked one conversion. In the final match of the day, hosts Griquas conceded a 23-19 defeat against the SWD Eagles.
Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week, Day One Results and Scorers:
Free State 56, Pumas 32
SCORERS: Free State- Tries: Pieter Jordaan (4), Francois Pretorius, Jan Serfontein, Jannie Strumpher; Conversions: Jannie Strumpher (6); Penalties: Strumpher (3).Pumas- Tries: Anele Blaaw, Gysie Du Plessis, Ivan Gouws, Kwagga Simth, Jan Visser; Conversions: Tyrone Pienaar, Kobus Wolmarans; Penalty: Tyrone Pienaar.
Boland 15, Blue Bulls 50
SCORERS: Boland– Tries: Jacques Rossouw, Jason Kriel, Kobus Putter. Blue Bulls-Tries: Dayan van der Westhuizen (2), Juan Gunter, Justin Forwood, Roelof Smit (2), Sean Robinson; Conversion: Francois Tredoux (6); Penalty- Francois Tredoux.
Leopards 19, Namibia 40
SCORERS: Leopards-Tries: Adriaan Esterhuizen (2), Hermanus Smith, Wynand Bosman; Conversion: Adriaan Esterhuizen. Namibia- Tries: Daniel Arries (2), Donavan Kandjii, Pieter Cronje (2); Conversion: Denver Murorua, Lou Rickerts (2); Drop goal: Lou Rickerts; Pentalty: Lou Rickerts (2).
Eastern Province CD 15, Valke 42
SCORERS: EP CD- Tries: James Moore, Richard Straaten; Conversion: Ntsikelelo Mlamleli; Penalty: Ntsikelelo Mlamleli. Valke- Tries: Armandt Peens, Christiaan Meyer, Frederick Roodt, Jacobus Cronje, Johan van Tonder, Tiaan Ramat; Conversion: Warren Potgieter.
Griquas 19, SWD Eagles 23
SCORERS: Griquas – Try: Len le Roux; Conversion: Elrico Fielies; Penalties: Fielies (4). SWD-Tries: Christopher Richardson, Micheal Bernardt (2); Conversion: Sylvian Mahuza; Penalties: Percy Williams, Mahuza.
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