Pumas suffer their second consecutive defeat, in Cape Town
Another loss for the Pumas resulted in them dropping down the Carling Currie Cup log.
The Airlink Pumas suffered yet another defeat, losing 22-14 to DHL Western Province (WP) in their top-four Currie Cup Premier Division encounter at Athlone Stadium on Friday May 19.
The home side were fourth on the log heading into the fixture, while the travelling side occupied second place.
The Pumas took an early lead through loosehead prop, Cameron Dawson, and the kicking boot of Tinus de Beer.
The Western Cape outfit were determined to not allow the Pumas to pull ahead and maybe also a little hasty with ball in hand.
ALSO READ: Local sport Corné Fourie hooks his 100th cap for the Airlink Pumas
Clayton Blommetjies almost pulled five points back for his side, but the handover to him from scrumhalf Godlen Masimla was ruled forward and the try was overturned.
The side’s efforts were rewarded soon afterwards though and a deserving seven points were added to the board, Masimla with the try and the conversion by Jean-Luc du Plessis, levelling the score.
Discipline was once more the downfall of Jimmy Stonehouse’s side with winger Lundi Msenge sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown.
ALSO READ: Absa Lowveld Air Show back with a bang
Another big blow for the Pumas came when their starting scrumhalf, Chriswill September, was stretchered off the pitch early in the half.
The territory statistics swayed heavily in the home side’s favour, which meant that the Pumas were forced to defend. And that they did, winning one scrum after the other, and some crucial turnover ball at the breakdowns.
Unfortunately, they could not manage to convert their dominant performance into a winning one.
WP took a five-point lead into the halftime break, courtesy of a try by Du Plessis in the 30th minute.
ALSO READ: Dubbele rugbysege vir dié Laeveld-boeties
The Pumas drew first blood in the second half when wing, Andrew Kota, went over in the corner for a try in the 49th minute. The momentum was on their side, but hosts managed a penalty conversion to regain the lead.
Adré Smith dove over the try line for the Capetonians’ third try of the match and the final nail in the Pumas’ coffin. Du Plessis converted, securing the WP the victory over the defending champions.
The Pumas dropped to third place and Western Province remain in fourth position.
The Cell C Sharks defeated the Toyota Cheetahs in Durban and moved one place up, into the second spot. The Cheetahs remain top of the log.
