SWD run in five tries to beat EP

THE KWAZULU-NATAL Sharks were the most impressive side on view of day two of the Coca-Cola Craven Week at St Stithians College yesterday, beating the Blue Bulls 53-33 in the final game of the day.

It was a try-fest, with the teams scoring 13 between them, eight by the Sharks.

The KZN side raced to a 38-0 lead before the Bulls began a spirited fight back in the second half, closing the gap to 38-26 at one stage, but the Sharks got two late tries and a penalty to make the game safe.

SWD put up their hands to be in the mix when the big fixtures for later in the week are arranged by beating the highly-fancied Eastern Province side 27-22. They scored five tries and led 19-10 at the break. EP crossed the tryline three times themselves, but they were always chasing the game and they couldn’t match SWD for power up front in the end.

A bit of history was made when Aimee Barrett-Theron became the first woman to referee a game at the Craven Week. Barrett is an ex-international player and she will be one of the referees at the Women’s World Cup next month.

The SWD tries were scored by Dian Bleuler (two), Hanu Heunis and Curtley Scheepers. JC Nel slotted two penalties. Rodwill Baaitjies, Juandre Slabbert and Waqar Solaan dotted down for EP, with Dylan Le Roux adding two conversions.

In the pick of today’s action, the Golden Lions take on Western Province, with Free State meeting the Pumas. The winners there will, in all likelihood, have booked their spot in Saturday’s main game, probably against the Sharks or SWD.