Province put down marker in Athlone

DHL Western Province defeated the Airlink Pumas 22-14 (HT 12-7) in their top-four Currie Cup Premier Division encounter at the Athlone Stadium on Friday.

The home side were sitting in fourth spot heading into the fixture, while the traveling side occupied the second seat.

Jimmy Stonehouse's unit scored in the very first minute, and while WP gave their version of a clapback, the try - which originated from the base of a ruck with a pass from scrumhalf Godlen Masinla, who was a standout, to Clayton Blommetjies, who did the most in showing his control over the Gilbert - was disallowed as the initial handover in the opposition 22 was ruled forward.

Province outscored their opponents by three tries to two in a tight contest.

A crucial win against the defending Currie Cup champions at Athlone Stadium. #WPvPUM #wpjoulekkerding #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/OBywCx8EFp

— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) May 19, 2023

It was far from the perfect display of rugby, from both sides.

While the Mpumalanga side had the most to say in terms of possession and territory in the first half, they failed to make the conversion to a numerical advantage on the scoresheet, and the fact that they went one man down in the 23rd minute when Lundi Msenge was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on didn't help their cause.

Aerial contests had more of a say in the game at certain times than what an avid supporter of running rugby would have liked but, at the end of the day, the Capetonians got the job done.

The visitors were dealt a blow when scrumhalf Chriswill September was stretchered off the pitch early on.

John Dobson’s side only had a one-point lead when time was up on the clock, but a converted try by lock Adre Smith on the fulltime hooter secured the W for Dobson's outfit.

Pumas prop Cameron Dawson opened the scoring when he slid through WP’s defence for a try in the opening minutes, with Tinus de Beer adding the extra two points with the conversion.

The Pumas drew first blood in the second half when wing Andrew Kota went over in the corner for a try in the 49th minute, and while momentum was on their side, the hosts managed a penalty conversion to regain the lead.

Smith grabbed the third try for Province to ensure the positive result for the hosts.

POINT-SCORERS:

Western Province - Tries: Masimla, Du Plessis, Smith

Conversions: Du Plessis (2) Penalty: Du Plessis

For Pumas - Tries: Dawson, Kota Conversions: De Beer (2) Yellow card: Lundi Msenge