Demetri steers Province to victory
8 Sep 2012
JON CARDINELLI reports on WP’s 29-22 win against Free State in Bloemfontein.
Two instances of brilliance and a flawless goal-kicking performance earned Western Province what could be a crucial win in the context of their season.
The match was framed by moments of vision and sublime finishing, Gio Aplon supplying the opening salvo and Marcel Brache contributing the score that would put the result beyond doubt.
Aplon’s try took the visitors to a 7-0 lead in just the second minute. Brache did exceptionally well to get his hands through the tackle and find Aplon, who subsequently chipped the ball over the advancing defenders. The WP fullback was always going to win the race and with a favourable bounce, the Cape side were off to the best possible start.
But Free State stayed in touch via the impressive goal-kicking of wing Nico Scheepers. The youngster kicked five goals in the first half, and this allowed the hosts to go to the break with a 19-13 advantage.
But just as Scheepers showed considerable mettle in front of goal, so too did Catrakilis. The WP flyhalf converted every opportunity in the first half, when it seemed the Cheetahs had the initiative, and three quick penalties in succession after the break saw the momentum shifting back in the visitors’ favour.
Scheepers managed to bisect the uprights to bring the scores level at 22-22, but that’s when Catrakilis showed why he is more than just a goal-kicker.
The WP flyhalf spotted the space behind the Cheetahs defence, and chipped for Brache to chase. The timing of Catrakilis’s kick, as well as that of Brache’s run, allowed Province to score a seven-pointer. It was a timely strike, as the Cheetahs had already begun to flag at that point in contest.
This score also seemed to have an adverse effect on the Cheetahs goal-kicker. Scheepers missed his first shot on goal in the 73rd minute. It meant that all that Free State could play for in those final minutes was a draw.
WP looked to have secured territory during this decisive period, that is until a set-piece turnover sparked a dangerous Cheetahs counter-attack.
Some desperate WP defence would deny the Cheetahs in the final move, and ensure the Cape side walked away from this encounter with four valuable log points.
72 Comments
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8 Sep 2012, 20:19 pm
How is that no a try. Touch judge blind as a bat!
8 Sep 2012, 20:29 pm
@W.P-51: the rules for weer probeer are the same as for any other team.
8 Sep 2012, 20:30 pm
Rugby overload
8 Sep 2012, 20:33 pm
Please dude if that’s crawling you need to bend your knees.
8 Sep 2012, 20:33 pm
really is a day for tied scores
come on cheetahs
8 Sep 2012, 20:34 pm
Respek Brache
8 Sep 2012, 20:39 pm
C’mon Province!
8 Sep 2012, 20:54 pm
Rob and Grant, where did you vanish too?
Looks like your boys may have ground out a win in the end!
8 Sep 2012, 20:56 pm
I have been impressed with brache, physical and always looking to make space for those outside him!
8 Sep 2012, 20:57 pm
@Sasuke-59: You mean he is acting like a proper distributing no12 should be ?
8 Sep 2012, 21:00 pm
a bridge too far
well done for trying cheetahs
8 Sep 2012, 21:01 pm
i too like his little touches
def one to watch
8 Sep 2012, 21:11 pm
Always rated brache. Never understood howcome peopel where against him. Sad to think that he and Catrilkillis never played for the stormers
8 Sep 2012, 21:14 pm
GOOD WIN PROVINCE
This was a good win for province, we have to remember that it is an extremely young side, for almost the entire 2nd half the front row was an U21 front row.
So much for resting Kitsie coz he’s had a long season. Could Deon seriously not make it until half time?? Need to watch the young guys workload coz if he gets injured during super 15 we seriously stuffed.
Scarra is gonna be feeling it tomorrow, seriously tough lil guy. Throws in really well to. Need some hooker backup tho.
Greek played a good game, pitty he’s leaving. Gary needs to be in the mix from next week, cant rely on a guy like Peter Grant to play every match during the super 15.
Thought Marcel was good, been around for a little while now and his experience is showing, De Allende is also a good prospect, looks more at home playing centre. JP good game last week but not to effective today, maybe he should move to the wing and de Allende play 13.
Elstadt is seriously powerful but his hands and skill need to improve if he’s gonna play on the flank, also think he lacks pace at 7. He’s gonna be like a Dannie who can cover lock and flank from the bench.
How good was Schreuder at the end, great lil run but then made everything into slow ball, Groom is also quality but needs to work on his kicking game.
WELL DONE PROVINCE
8 Sep 2012, 21:22 pm
Gio also had a great game at 15, def more of a threat playing in the 15 jersey. Joe should b back soon, they should keep the young wings playing and give Gio a rest, he’s played heaps of rugby this year.
8 Sep 2012, 22:25 pm
Well done PROVINCE.
At least you win at least. You and the Proteas.
8 Sep 2012, 23:30 pm
@nama1-66: And the Lions and Griquas.
9 Sep 2012, 11:03 am
Gio should have been wearing a green shirt with no.15 on it yesterday
9 Sep 2012, 11:12 am
@Rhys7-68: Mvovo never had a great game yesterday have to be honest. If Gio was there he would have offered more coming on for Habs. Now if Habs is out it will be a worry.
9 Sep 2012, 11:14 am
We miss JPP on the wing. Hope he is back for the home series. Also Bissies injury is the biggest loss of all for us. Strauss just not in the same class.
9 Sep 2012, 11:15 am
Sorry on the wrong thread.
10 Sep 2012, 08:33 am
Demetri will be a big loss to Province imo
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