WP leave it too late as Bulls taste victory again

Sep 18 • National • 2919 Views • Comments Off on WP leave it too late as Bulls taste victory again

The Vodacom Blue Bulls returned to winning ways when they wrapped up a 28-20 victory against the DHL Western Province at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The Bulls started the match and looked a much improved side from the previous weeks. They carried the ball strongly and got over the advantage line with every stampeding run. In turn they also dominated the collisions while defending and didn’t allow the Western Province an inch of space. Before half time the Bulls already crossed the whitewash twice via CJ Stander and Zane Kirchner while Francois Brummer added the conversions and another two penalties. The WP had to settle for a single penalty conversion by Isma-eel Dollie and went into the change rooms with a 17-point deficit.

The WP came out a different team in the second half and it was clear that they were looking to avoid the dominant Bulls forwards and rather run it up through their young, nippy backs. Guys like Johann Sadie, JJ Engelbrecht and Danie Poolman created plenty of opportunities with their runs up midfield and WP were rewarded with three tries by Danie Poolman, Marcel Brache and replacement loose forward Siya Kolisi.

Unfortunately the WP let the game get away from them earlier in second half when they allowed Wynand Oliver to score the Bulls’ third try and Francois Brummer to convert another penalty, which left them with too big a mountain to conquer in such a short time. With the game already in the bag for the Bulls both sides showed how desperate they were for bonus points as the game continued 5minutes past the hooter. Plenty of turnovers and running from deep was the order of the day as the Bulls tried to get over for their fourth and bonus point try while the WP needed only one more score to get the bonus point for losing within 7 points.

Scorers:

Vodacom Blue Bulls:
Tries: CJ Stander, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier
Conversions: Francois Brummer (2)
Penalties: Brummer (3)

DHL Western Province:
Tries: Danie Poolman, Marcel Brache, Siya Kolisi
Conversions: Isma-eel Dollie
Penalty: Dollie