Fleck warns WP U21s they won’t be safe on top in 2016

WESTERN PROVINCE’S interprovincial-winning Under-21 side will be marked men next season.

Having trounced the Free State Cheetahs 52-17 in the final at Ellis Park last weekend to win back the trophy they last held aloft in 2013, WP announced themselves as worthy champions, losing just once during the competition, to the Sharks. The coastal rivals played out a draw in their last meeting, but it was Province who went on to top Group A with an unbeaten 11-game run – 10 wins and a draw – to secure a home semi-final.

WP came up against pre-tournament favourites the Golden Lions in the once-off clash and dispatched the former winners in no uncertain terms, a powerful second-half performance seeing rookie coach Robbie Fleck guide his charges to a 43-20 triumph and book a place in the final against the Cheetahs, who downed the Sharks to secure their spot.

The WP coach said before the clash that the men from Bloemfontein would be tough nuts to crack, based on past performances – Province came out on top in both fixtures but had to work hard to win the second one in a high-scoring affair.

One thing was for certain: Fleck’s boys were getting better by the game. They hit their straps against the Lions to announce themselves as worthy title contenders.

And WP made no mistakes when it mattered most, against the Cheetahs, a 15-man effort seeing the Cape side score six tries for the win.

Province scored two tries in the first half, the first by fullback Grant Hermanus when he picked up an offload from inside centre EW Viljoen.

Viljoen added his name to the scoresheet when he easily dotted down after a fine line-break from fly- half Brandon Thomson, who was the Man of the Match.

Thomson kicked both conversions and landed a penalty as WP raced to a 17-3 lead.

The Freestaters got their first points via the boot of Arrie Vosloo after Hermanus’ touchdown, the left wing slotting a penalty before successfully converting prop Ox Nche’s driving-maul try.

Nche saved his side from conceding a third try in the half when he showed great pace from behind to catch and force scrumhalf Justin Phillips into touch.

Province increased their lead to 10 when Thomson banged over another penalty.

WP had to wait 16 minutes into the second half before adding to their tally, with Thomson once again on the mark with two further penalties to make the score 26-10. Thomson then goaled his own try before converting lock David Ribbans’ five-pointer to take his tally to 25 points.

Left wing Leolin Zas then sped over and replacement back James Verity-Amm followed suit, both in the space of 10 minutes, to seal the deal. The Cheetahs did score a second converted try through No 8 Steven Meiring.

“It was a great performance from my guys,” said Fleck. “A team effort from the start to the very end.

“I must thank my back-up staff for a job well done; our medical staff had their hands full with serious injuries to many first-team choices, my assistant coaches lent valuable support in their respective roles, and to others who played a role, thanks a lot.

“We’ve now set the bar for 2016,” Fleck added. “Other provinces will be out to knock us off our perch. We have 80 percent of the squad back for our defence, but no time to dwell on the past come the new season.”