Province edge it in Pretoria

New flyhalf, Josh Stander, a nervous-looking 20-year-old began kicking to his right, whether from habit or to test Seabelo Senatla. Whatever the reason it was unprofitable.

But the way the Blue Bulls play and the way Western Province play made for an exciting, entertaining match. There was plenty of movement and variation, and the four tries were excellent. It was a match worth watching, but the crowd on a cold Pretoria afternoon was sparse, nothing like the old days when Northern Transvaal vs Western Province was sold out within hours of the opening of the ticket office. It's sad because there is no doubt that there is life in the Currie Cup all right.

A surprise to the Western Province was the Blue Bulls scrumming, converted from a fragile, crumbling, much-penalised mess to a powerful entity that dominated the Western Province pack and forced three penalties out of them.

Despite all the hectic activity it took over half-an-hour for the first score as the defences on both sides were determined.

The first score came when Deon Stegmann transgressed at a maul and Kurt Coleman, on for Demetri Catrakelis who was off having blood stanched, goaled. 3-0 after 33 minutes, and that was the half-time score.

The Blue Bulls had their moment when they bashed at the Western Province line and Paul Willemse was held up over the line with a brave effort by Juan de Jongh. They also had a penalty but Stander missed the simple kick.,

Western Province also had a chance as Nizaam Carr and Siya Kolisi were close but Nic Groom lost the ball forward as he dived to score.

Early in the second half Western Province attacked and were close but had to be satisfied with a penalty when Jono Ross was offside. Back on the field, Catrakelis goaled. 6-0 after 45 minutes.

Then came the first great try of the match. After Jesse Kriel had kicked a meagre touch off the side of his boot, Western Province had a line-out near the Blue Bulls 22 but they overthrew the line-out and Stander grabbed the ball on the Blue Bulls right. Piet van Zyl gave to Hattingh and the big lock raced away downfield. He gave to Kriel who gave to Sampie Mastriet who did well to keep the ball infield in a tackle by De Jongh. The Blue Bulls went right, Van Zyl passing to big Jacques du Plessis who burst through Kolisi and pounded some 30 metres to score at the posts. Stander converted and the Blue Bulls led 7-6 after 47 minutes.

Tiaan Schoeman, who replaced Stander then kicked a penalty to make it 10-6 after 54 minutes.

Then came the second great try. From a line-out on their left near the half-way line., Western Province went right. Catrakelis did a run-around. Jaco Taute passed inside to Senatla who swerved past  Mastriet and gave to Kobus van Wyk who ran straight ahead for a try in the corner. Catrakelis converted from touch and Western Province led 13-10. after 56 minutes.

The Blue Bulls were deep in the Western Province half when they knocked on. Cheslin Kolbe grabbed the ball and did some swerving and dodging. He gave to Groom who have to De Jongh and the outside centre threw a long and perfect pass to Senatla who was about 43 metres from the try-line. He beat one Blue Bull on the outside, then swerved inside Kriel and scored a magnificent try. 20-10 after 61 minutes.

At this stage it sounded as if there was a loud chant from the crowd: "B Currie Cup", a depressing evaluation of the Blue Bulls future.

Western Province were penalised and the Blue Bulls bashed. Coleman was offside and Schoeman goaled. 20-13 with 12 minutes to play.

Dean Greyling tackled Kolbe high. 23-13 with 8 minutes to play.

A penalty against Carr at the tackle gave the Blue Bulls a line-out. They went wide left where Kriel came into the line and gave to Mastriet. He beat Van Wyk and scored in the left corner as Kolbe tackled him., 23-18 with 4 minutes to go.

The Blue Bulls used the time to attack, aided by two penalties but William Small-Smith knocked on and the match ended.