Craven Week 2013: Day 1 results
| DATE, TIME | TEAM | TEAM | DETAILS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 08 JULY 2013 | ||||||
| 08h30 | Griquas | 17 | 35 | Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe caused quite an upset in an untidy game. Structurally the neighbouring country’s team was really good at times and produced some pleasing plays. Zim left wing Matukwa’s try was the result of excellent set move passing, handing and timing execution. Their contesting of the tackled ball was outstanding, helping them to win key turnovers. Griquas lacked cohesion and were their own worst enemies most of the time. Their setpeices weren’t good, they made basic handling errors, they failed miserably in attempts to protect the ball at the breakdown and they fell off regulation tackles. The margin between the teams would have been larger had Zimbabwe not had a player unfairly sinbinned – Griquas scored 14 points (their only 2 tries) during this spell. | |
| 10h00 | Border | 38 | 20 | Namibia | A good contest. It was 24-20 with less than 10 minutes to go. Both teams made errors which stopped the flow at times but the speed and urgency made this game a lot better than the one before. Namibia proved to be no pushovers. They did some good things. Border’s passing out wide needs a bit of work and their scrum struggled a bit. Otherwise they produced quite a few team tries. Flyhalf Lungelo Gosa brought his super stepping ability to Limpopo province. Centre Simila Jho won man of the match. There was also a good performance by flank Jerwyn Harty. Namibian flyhalf Chris Arries looked decent and it’s a pity that the guys out wide could not get more and better quality ball. | |
| 11h30 | WP | 40 | 24 | Pumas | Awesome game. The first half was high tempo and action packed. Pumas dominating the collisions and tight forwards doing exceptionally well with loosies making big contributions. WP backs are creative, quick and lethal. Their speed of execution is exceptional. At the start of the 2nd half, defences improved and errors started to creep into the game. WP showed more composure though and ended up scoring a further 3 tries to stretch their narrow halftime lead of 19-17 to a comprehensive one. Inside centre Daniel du Plessis proved just what a class act he is by not only scoring 4 tries but doing so many positive things during his time on the ball. There were some other excellent performers. Stand outs included Pumas flank Daniel Maartens and his skipper at TH Conraad van Vuuren, while WP had halfbacks Damian Stevens and Dennis Cox to thank for some smart play. WP wing Grant Hermanus and Pumas scrummy Rowan Gouws also worth looking out for as the tournament progresses.
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| 13h00 | Blue Bulls | 46 | 22 | KZN | The wind picked up for this game. The first half quality could have been better yet there were some very memorable moments. KZN no.8 Ayron Schramm continued to impress with 2 bits of brilliant individualism, both resulting in tries. The Bulls lock RG Snyman showed x-factor of his own. It’s become a bit of a trademark of his but the huge boy continues to surprise all with his distribution skills. He provided 2 assists by being aware of where his support runners were after doing good work with ball in hand. 17-17 at the break turned into 46-22 at full time as the Bulls dominated the 2nd half. KZN struggled to get their hands on quality ball and the lineouts turned out to be a nightmare with KZN showing little innovation to help overcome tall timber of the Bulls that contested very well. For the Bulls, their outstanding centre combo of Franco Naude and Jurie Linde stood out but the foundation was laid by some good forward play. They were strong in the set pieces and backed it up with good consolidation at the breakdown. That said, there is still a bit of work ahead. Prospects look very bright for this Bulls team though. | |
| 15h30 | Limpopo Blue Bulls | 26 | 31 | Boland | A highly entertaining game. The winner was hard to pick. Both teams went for it. Defences could have been better at times though. Boland are able to secure good set-piece ball. Their lineout was particularly good. They also produced some slick handling plays and were very dangerous in broken play. Captain Hanro Liebenberg featured prominetly. The Limpopo Bulls have a never-say-die attitude about them and seem to thrive on drives around the fringes. Limpopo flyhalf Andries Bruwer seemed to be the catalyst in most things good. He was confident and added much value. Late in the game centre JP van Wyk came into his own as well. The game produced an exciting finish with the lead switching hands a few times late on and the game ending with Limpopo being held up over the Boland line in their last gasp attempt to win the match. |