Deon Stegmann of the Bulls, left, tackles Matt Berquist of
the Highlanders during their Super 14 match in Pretoria.
The Bulls won 50-35.(AP Photo)
In another Super 14 rugby result of cricket proportions,
a rampant Bulls team was too clinical and powerful for the
Highlanders in running up a 50-35 win at Loftus Versveld
stadium, Pretoria, this morning.
It was the third half-century of the season by the Bulls in
what was a 12-try romp that saw a brave come-back attempt in
the second half by the Highlanders. Visiting skipper Jamie
MacIntosh admitted to Supersport Television after the game
that in the early stages his side "was staring down the
barrel of 100 points" but he was proud of the way his team
fought back to score three second-half tries.
Enterprising fullback Israel Dagg was outstanding in snaring
a hat-trick of tries from incisive running.
The Bulls went into the match as overwhelming favourites, and
lead by No 8 Pierre Spies, the clinical forward pack provided
the platform for its backline to make full use of the ball.
The imbalance of power between the two teams was further
emphasised by the absence of two of the Highlanders' most
influential players, the curfew-breaking Adam Thompson and
Michael Hobbs, who had been stood down for disciplinary
reasons by the visitors' management.
The Highlanders started promisingly enough but reality set in
when Bulls hooker Gary Botha ran in the first of five
first-half home tries, the best being a brilliant individual
effort by fledgling wing Gerhard van der Heever.
The onslaught was assisted by some porous Highlanders
defence.
Against the tide, Dagg answered with two tries himself in the
first 40 minutes, but by the break the Bulls had a 36-14
lead.
The Highlanders rejigged their line-up with the Southland
contingent of Jason Rutledge, James Hardie and Robbie
Robinson, who, along with Hayden Triggs, brought new life
into their ranks.
The early try to flanker Tim Boys was a signal for a
much-improved second-half performance.
But the Bulls' points advantage was too great to peg back and
the high veldt team proved they are front-runners to retain
their title from last season.
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