Free State and the Pumas remain unbeaten after claiming important wins on day four of the U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
Free State and the Pumas – as well as Boland and Western Province – have racked up two wins in as many matches and will take some momentum into the final round of fixtures on Saturday.
The Pumas put 60 points past the Limpopo Blue Bulls on Tuesday and were just as ruthless in the clash with the Griffons on Thursday, where they scored nine tries in a 57-26 victory. Lock Franko Rossouw touched down twice, while flyhalf Matthew Abbey, the tournament’s leading scorer, contributed 17 points.
After beating the Griffons 57-36 in the first round, Free State had reason to feel confident ahead of their showdown with the Bulls on Thursday afternoon.
The central union scored three tries in the first half, before the Bulls clawed their way back into the game. However, late touchdowns by fullback Heinz Stockenstrom – who finished with a brace – and No 8 Liam Santos sealed a 34-27 win for Free State.
Earlier in the day, Griquas and the Limpopo Blue Bulls showed their attacking intent in a high-scoring contest that yielded 15 tries overall.
The northerners led 18-12 at half-time, before Griquas lifted their performance in the second stanza and claimed a 53-37 victory.
The Golden Lions rebounded from a narrow loss to the Bulls to edge the WP XV 37-33 on Thursday. They outscored the Cape side by six tries to five, with replacement backs Cheswill Jooste and Michael Benzien scoring two apiece.
The last day of the tournament on Saturday will commence with a clash between the Leopards and Limpopo Blue Bulls.
Day 4 results:
Griquas 53-37 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Griffons 26-57 Pumas
Golden Lions 37-33 WP XV
Blue Bulls 27-34 Free State
Day 5 fixtures:
8am: Leopards v Limpopo Blue Bulls
9:15am: WP XV v Pumas
9:20am: Valke v Griquas
10:35am: Lions v SWD
10:40am: Border v Griffons
11:55am: Bulls v Sharks
12pm: Boland v EP
1:15pm: WP v Free State
The post Free State, Pumas maintain Craven Week form appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
