Gutsy Bulls defense earns them nail-biting victory
The Vodacom Blue Bulls defended for their lives as they ground out a 21-18 victory over the table-topping MTN Golden Lions at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
The first half was all Bulls as they dominated territory and possession. First to cross the line was ex-Lions scrumhalf Jano Vermaak. After getting nailed in a tackle he quickly got to his feet and chased a clever chip-kick from Bjorn Basson that caught the Lions defense napping. Vermaak dived on the ball and showed that he has no more loyalties to his old side.
Moments later it was Louis Fouche who carved up the Lions defense with a neat little show-and-go. Unfortunately he was stopped just short but flanker Warwick Tecklenberg was quick to snatch up the ball and dive over for the second try of the match. Fouche converted Tecklenburg’s try and also managed to add two penalties.
The Lions had to settle for two Elton Jantjies penalties, one of which came after Bulls prop Dean Greyling was controversially yellow-carded by referee Lourens van der Merwe without any warning. Going into the change rooms the Bulls had a comfortable 18-6 lead.
The second half started much the same as the first, but this time it was the Lions who scored shortly after kick-off when Michael Killian was sent over in the corner. The Bulls had to play with 14 men for the second time as Wynand Olivier was sin-binned for a late shoulder charge on Elton Jantjies. During that time the Lions put together phase after phase and it was captain Joshua Strauss who crashed over to level the scores. Jantjies missed the conversion that would have taken the Lions into the lead.
Louis Fouche made sure the Bulls got back the lead shortly after with an unexpected drop goal from about 40meters out. After the drop it was all Lions and the Bulls were forced to make, what felt like hundreds, of tackles on their own goal-line. This Bulls showed exactly why they should never be written off as they defended like men possessed, with each hit carrying the Lions back a few feet.
The deciding moment came when the Bulls forced the Lions to make a handling error only meters short of the line. From the ensuing scrum, replacement loose forward Arno Botha carried the ball up strongly and got his team out of the red zone. A big and much needed victory for the men from across the Juksei.
MTN GOLDEN LIONS: 18 (6)
Tries: Michael Killian, Joshua Strauss
Conversion: Elton Jantjies
Penalties: Elton Jantjies (2)
VODACOM BLUE BULLS: 21 (18)
Tries: Jano Vermaak, Warwick Tecklenberg
Conversions: Louis Fouche
Penalties: Louis Fouche (2)
Drop Goal: Louis Fouche
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