Province battle back for late win

WESTERN Province clawed their way to a 15-14 win over the Cheetahs in a lively Currie Cup match at Newlands last night.

Just over 8 000 spectators warmed to the fare on a chilly evening as Province left their match-winning effort until five minutes from end. They trailed 14-0 at one stage.

Cheetahs’ flyhalf Elgar Watts provided the first-half highlight with an electrifying run from 30m to score next to the posts after sidestepping three Province defenders in the sixth minute. Right wing Riaan Smit goaled the conversion.

There was a concerted fightback by Province and when they seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough, Smit intercepted a pass on his 22m line and ran in for the visitors’ second converted try in the 17th minute.

The slippery underfoot conditions — a result of earlier rains in the day — put paid to a few darting runs by Province wing Cheslin Kolbe, who proved a threat whenever he was in possession.

Province opened the account with a 20th minute penalty from flyhalf Gary van Aswegen, and four minutes later flanker Michael Rhodes broke away from a line-out to run in for the home side’s first try. Van Aswegen converted to make it 14-10.

The hosts looked full of running before the break but were unable to convert numerous promising opportunities. Near the end they set up a driving maul and captain Deon Fourie crashed over for a try.