WRAP: Free State were the biggest winners on day one of the U18 Craven Week at Gray High School in Gqeberha on Monday, while Western Province, Boland and the Sharks also recorded victories.
South African rugby’s premier schoolboys and girls descended on Gray High School last Monday to take part in the opening round of the Under-18 Craven Week and U18 Girls Week tournaments.
The U18 Craven Week got off to an explosive start, with 41 tries scored in the four matches.
Free State and the Limpopo Blue Bulls combined to score 107 points in an entertaining match at the Kolisi pitch, with the Bloemfontein boys eventually claiming a 66-41 win.
Free State flyhalf Zachary Walbrugh finished the free-flowing encounter with a personal total of 31 points – a run that included a hat-trick of tries – while centers Ruan Roux and Eddie Mabena scored two tries each.
In other U18 Craven Week matches played on Monday, Boland fired late to secure a 39-20 win against the Leopards, and the Sharks scored five tries in their 36-19 win against SWD.
Hosts Eastern Province made a good start to the final match of the day against WP, and the result was still in the balance at half-time after local flyhalf Nathan Trytsman scored two penalties.
The Western Cape team upped the tempo after the break and went on to score 21 unanswered points, with Achmat Behardien (flyhalf) scoring six conversions and adding a try at the death, as WP secured a 42-25 win.
The U18 Craven Week action continues on Tuesday at Gray High, with Border fronting the Valke at 9.30am and the Blue Bulls meeting the Golden Lions in a thrilling Jukskei Derby later in the afternoon.
U18 Craven Week day one results:
Monday July 6
Boland 39-20 Leopards
Free State 66-41 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Sharks 36-19 Southwestern Districts
Western Province 42-25 Eastern Province
U18 Craven Week day two schedule (kick-off time is SAST)
Tuesday July 7
A field:
Border v Valke (09.30)
Griquas vs Pumas (11.15)
Western Province XV vs Griffons (1.30pm)
Blue Bulls vs. Golden Lions (15.15)
U18 Girls Week day one results:
Monday July 6
KwaZulu Natal 10-27 Boland
Valke 24-10 Griquas
Blue Bulls 8-38 Eastern Province
Free State 15-30 Griffons 30
Golden Lions 26-10 Rand 10
Southwestern Districts 44-5 Leopards
Western Province 27-5 Cougars
Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-15 Eastern Province XV
U18 Girls Week Matches – Day Two (kick-off time is SAST)
Wednesday July 8
B field:
Pumas vs KZN (09.30)
Boundary against Blue Bulls (10.45 )
EP against Boland (12:00)
WP against Golden Lions (13.15 )
C field:
Griquas vs Leopards (09.30)
Valke against Free State (10.45)
Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Griffons (12:00)
SWD vs EP XV (13.15)
By SA Rugby
rugby365.com