Blue Bulls top the log again

2008-08-31 17:15

Johannesburg - The Blue Bulls moved back to the top of the Currie Cup log after a resounding 37-6 victory over Western Province at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening - although coach Frans Ludeke admitted it was harder work than the scoreline suggested.

Ludeke said after the match: "Western Province played well; it took us more than 60 minutes to get our hands on the ball.

"We competed well on the ground and when we finally got our hands on the ball, things just happened for us. That's what Currie Cup rugby is all about - things will happen for you if you're willing to work hard."

Bulls skipper Wikus van Heerden, his side's third try-scorer, added: "When we scored our third try, we knew we just had to stay patient to get the fourth (try).

"We built up plenty of pressure in the first half and we knew the dam wall would burst - eventually."

The Bulls scored four tries to nil, with all four scores coming in the second half after a tryless first half which ended at 6-6.

'Anything can happen'

Winger John Mametsa, prop Werner Kruger, Van Heerden and fullback Tiger Mangweni all touched down, with Mangweni's late score handing the home side that valuable four-try bonus point and an outright lead on the Currie Cup log after nine matches.

The Bulls now have 34 points from nine games, ahead of the Sharks (33), defending champions, the Free State Cheetahs (32) and the Lions, who are in fourth place with 26 points.

WP coach Allister Coetzee was disappointed, but he refused to accept that his team's Currie Cup campaign was over.

Said Coetzee: "When the Boks come back, anything can happen.

"The Bulls played well and deserved to come away with five points.

"We were good for 65 minutes, but a game is 80 minutes long and you can't afford to spend 20 of those 80 minutes with just 14 men."

WP had forwards Schalk Brits and AJ Venter sin-binned in the first and second half, respectively, with Venter's sin-binning especially costly as Van Heerden and Mangweni both scored in the final 10 minutes to give the home team that all-important four-try bonus point.

Boland dropped to last position

Earlier in the day, the Sharks overcame a tenacious Boland Cavaliers team and a muddy pitch to beat the home side 41-7 at Boland Stadium.

The visitors scored six tries to one - with left-wing Waylon Murray dotting down twice - and were full value for their victory; their seventh of the season.

Boland dropped back down to last position on the Currie Cup log after this game, with the Falcons ahead of them on points' difference, whilst the Sharks moved into second place - just one point ahead of the Cheetahs, who had a bye this weekend.

All eight Currie Cup teams will once again be in action this coming weekend, with the next five weeks set to produce some exciting rugby as the race for those four semi-final places hots up.

Ludeke said: "You can't write WP off.

"They'll be getting some good players back when the Springboks return and if they stay focused and start winning, they could always squeeze into the semi-finals."

- SAPA