Bulls bounce back
February 11, 2007 - 6:35am
Story by: Sportal
The Bulls have survived an epic forwards battle to claim a tight 24-20 win over the Cheetahs in the Investec second-round Super 14 match at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (AEDT).
The Cheetahs pack had the better of proceedings early, dominating the scrums and pushing their opposition around the park. At the same time the Bulls forwards controlled the lineout and after the return of front rower Richard Bands halfway through the first half, wrestled back control of the scrums and the breakdown to pave the way for victory.
The Bulls powered to a solid three-tries-to-two win over the in-form Cheetahs outfit and re-invigorates their title aspirations.
Cheetahs inside centre Meyer Bosman took advantage of his side's early forward momentum by slotting two penalties for a 6-0 lead.
But when Bands made his long-awaited return to the Bulls front row he had an immediate impact as the home team, who had been keeping in the contest with superior lineout skills, managed to halt the rampaging Cheetahs pack in the scrums.
The Bulls grabbed an important scrum win on the Cheetahs 22 and drove the ensuing maul towards the try-line, where Wessel Roux, celebrating his 50th super rugby match, was able to power his way over. Morne Steyn converted for a 7-6 lead which was the score at half-time.
After the break the Bulls forwards continued to overpower the Cheetahs pack and possession and field position soon told with a try to Bryan Habana, who raced over wide out from a Bulls scrum, and penalty to Steyn to make it
But the Cheetahs pack managed a final resurgence as impressive prop CJ van der Linde scored a try he will talk about for the rest of his days. The stocky front-rower went on a barnstorming 50-metre run, busting through four tackles to score a crucial five-pointer and bring the visitors back in the match.
The Bulls responded immediately as Jaco Engels busted through some Cheetahs tackles close to the line to score and with Steyn's third conversion it gave the home team an 11-point lead with just eight minutes to play.
Cheetahs winger Eddie Fredericks scored solo try in the 76th minute and with Bosman's conversion the margin was just four points. But the Bulls forwards were able to control the ball after the re-start and ran down the clock for a deserved win.
Bulls 24
Tries: Wessel Roux, Bryan Habana, Jaco Engels.
Conversions: Morne Steyn 3.
Penalty: Steyn.
Cheetahs 20
Tries: CJ van der Linde, Eddie Fredericks.
Conversions: Meyer Bosman (2).
Penalties: Bosman (2).
