Bulls keep the pressure on unbeaten Cheetahs

THE BULLS maintained the pressure on the Cheetahs with a bonus point 43-37 victory over the Lions at Loftus Stadium to move within a point of the top side.

Tries from Lizo Gqoboka, Bismarck du Plessis, Richard Kriel, Janko Swanepoel and Stedman Gans put the Bulls in control as they capitalised on Burger Odendaal and Stean Pienaar being sent to the sin bin.

But Du Plessis and Rienhart Ludwig were then sent to the sin bin for the hosts and the Lions hit back with three secondhalf tries through Francke Horn, Jordan Hendrikse and Sibusiso Sangweni.

However, a last gasp close range try by Kriel ended any hopes of a Lions comeback.

The Airlink Pumas’ outside chances of gaining a playoff spot received a setback on Friday evening as they lost 23-17 at home to the Western Province.

To add to the drama, the stadium lights went off in the last minute of the game with the home side on the attack.

Western Province held on once the lights went back on and secured the win through tries from

Godlen Masimla, Neethling Fouche and Sergeal Petersen to gain only their second win in nine games in the campaign so far and also end their run of seven consecutive losses.

The Cheetahs made it nine wins from nine as they thumped the Sharks 44-15 in Bloemfontein.

Franco Smith’s impresive Cheetahs ran out comfortable winners by six tries to two courtesy of scores by Victor Sekekete, Marnus van der Merwe, Cohen Jasper, Andisa Ntsila, Mihlali Mosi and Louis van der Westhuizen as they outgunned their opponents in all departments.