Slower out of the blocks than a student for an early morning
lecture, the Highlanders gave the Bulls too much of a head
start in Pretoria yesterday.
It was apt the gap was 15 points between the sides at the
end, because conceding three tries at the start was
ultimately the killer for the Highlanders.
Missing 10 tackles in almost as many minutes at the beginning
of the game put the visitors into a deep hole.
They were down 21-0 after only 11 minutes, and never got
closer than 15 points.
A massacre was threatening, but to the Highlanders' credit,
they showed some resolve, muscled up on defence and scored
five tries themselves.
The Bulls are masters at the basics: kicking, running hard
and jumping on errors.
Their kick-and-chase game can not be faulted and more than
half of their tries yesterday could be directly linked to
their ability to regather their own kicks.
Bulls first five-eighth Morne Steyn may not be the most
exciting of players but on the high veldt, his accurate boot
is a constant danger.
Teamed with halfback Fourie du Preez, he drove the home side
forward and the duo started out like a house on fire.
The first 11 minutes was the sort of nightmare for the
Highlanders that even Stephen King's pen would have found
hard to scribble.
The Bulls were rolling at their very best and the Highlanders
were chasing shadows.
Hooker Gary Botha scored the first try after a good run by
lock Danie Rousouw and that was quickly followed by
five-pointers to wingers Francois Hougaard and Gerhard van
der Heever.
It looked like the busiest men in the ground would be the
scoreboard attendants.
But the Highlanders finally started making tackles and
getting a bit of ball, and they soon found some holes in the
Bulls defence.
The Bulls seemed to go into their shell as the game went on,
and were not able to dictate play so easily.
Fullback Israel Dagg scored three tries for the Highlanders,
and had an outstanding match.
His first try came after 17 minutes and was through good
midfield defence by the backline, which turned over the ball
from a Bulls attack.
It was moved right and Dagg scampered 70m to score.
The Hawkes Bay product scored his second try after a good
blindside move from a scrum with three minutes left in the
first half and his last five pointer right near the end,
charging over from 5m out, after quickly taking a free kick.
The Highlanders' other tries came from flanker Tim Boys,
after a nice, long pass from centre Kendrick Lynn, and
replacement back Robbie Robinson, who nabbed the other with
12 minutes left.
The ball was moved left after a turnover and substitute
winger James Paterson chipped ahead of the last defender, and
Robinson won the race to the ball.
Others to impress for the visitors were Lynn, and Jason
Shoemark inside him, while Josh Bekhuis got through plenty of
work up front and the scrum was solid.
Best for the home side were Steyn and No 8 Pierre Spies,
while Victor Matfield, in his 50th game as captain of the
Bulls, showed his class.
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