Absa u19 competition – MTN Golden Lions 8 (8) Vodacom Blue Bulls 24 (21)

The Vodacom Blue Bulls continued their dominant form in the Absa Under-19 Provincial Championship this past weekend by securing their tenth consecutive win, but it was results elsewhere that raised eyebrows and opened up the play-off race again.

The Pretoria side travelled to Johannesburg and scored a 24-8 win over the MTN Golden Lions, but it was the Leopards’ 27-22 victory over The Sharks in Durban that invigorated the race for the second spot on the log and a possible home semifinal. Earlier, the DHL Western Province confirmed their comeback into the play-off race with a resounding 36-7 win over the Border Bulldogs in East London, which sealed the host’s promotion/relegation fate.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls are still brushing all contenders aside and this was their tenth win on the trot. For once they did not manage a four-try bonus point, but give credit to the home side, who fought till the very end to topple their highly-rated opponents.

The Golden Lions were on the scoreboard first with a penalty by Gawie du Toit, but the lead was short-lived as powerful inside centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg proved unstoppable. The Lions got the lead back when winger Carlisle Nel scored, but that was the last time they scored points.

Keagon Gordon and Duncan Matthews scored within ten minutes of each other to put the Blue Bulls in control at the break.

The second half was tight, with a lone Jaco Wolmarans penalty confirming the Blue Bulls edge.

Scorers:

MTN Golden Lions 8 (8). Try: Carlisle Nel. Penalty: Gawie du Toit.
Vodacom Blue Bulls 24 (21). Tries: Keagon Gordon, Duncan Matthews, Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Conversions: Jaco Wolmarans (3). Penalty: Wolmarans.

Absa Under-19 Provincial Championship A Division log – Division A: