Lions, SWD edge tight contests at U18 Craven Week

South Western Districts and the Obaro Golden Lions claimed one-point victories while the DHL Western Province XV and the Hollywood Foundation Pumas were also among the winners on the first day of the FNB U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Middelburg.

The U18 Craven Week got off to an explosive start in Middelburg on Monday, with 37 tries scored across the four matches.

The WP XV put on an attacking show in the opening fixture, scoring eight tries and more than 50 points against the Griffons.

The Capetonians were in charge for much of the contest, limiting the Northern Free Staters to two penalty goals over the course of the game.

The next two fixtures were a lot tighter, with the Lions and SWD fighting back from significant halftime deficits to secure important victories.

Free State dominated the first half of their fixture against SWD, and went to the break with a 17-6 lead.

Flyhalf Darius Erwee led the way for his side, contributing 12 points in all.

SWD lifted the tempo in the second half, scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes.

While Free State added a converted try at the death, it wasn’t enough to deny the Eagles a famous 35-34 win.

In the Jukskei Derby, the Lions rebounded after a slow start to trail by six points at halftime.

Neither side managed to gain the upper in hand in the early stages of the the second half, with the lead changing hands several times.

With time running out, Bulls wing Thabiso Simelane launched an audacious counter-attack from within his own half, and then managed to regather his own chip kick for an important touchdown.

But the Lions worked their way upfield, before earning a penalty within Jeandre Uithaler’s range.

The flyhalf booted his side to a 36-35 victory, and finished the clash with a personal tally to 11 points.

In the fourth match of the day, the Pumas scored five tries in quick succession to take the contest away from the Limpopo Blue Bulls and begin their home tournament with an emphatic 44-22 win.

The U18 Craven Week will continue at Hoërskool Middelburg on Tuesday, with the Leopards taking on the Valke in the first match at 110am.

Western Province, who finished unbeaten in last year’s competition, will tackle Western Cape rivals Sanlam Boland at 14h30 in the final match of the day.

FNB U18 CRAVEN WEEKDAY ONE RESULTS (MONDAY, 7 JULY):

DHL Western Province XV 52 (19) Griffons 6 (6)

Free State 34 (17) South Western Districts 35 (6)

Blue Bulls 35 (20) Obaro Golden Lions 36 (14)

Hollywood Foundation Pumas 44 (12) Limpopo Blue Bulls 22 (14)

FNB U18 CRAVEN WEEKDAY TWO SCHEDULE (TUESDAY, 8 JULY):

10h00: Leopards v Valke

11h30: Border v Suzuki Griquas

13h00: Sharks High Schools v Eastern Province

14h30: DHL Western Province v Sanlam Boland