9°c Partly cloudy
19°c Variable cloudiness
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Bulls edge Western Force by a flattering 36-26 at Loftus Versfeld in Super 15
PRETORIA, South Africa - The Bulls head to New Zealand unbeaten after a flattering 36-26 bonus-point win over the winless Western Force in Super 15 rugby on Saturday.
The limited Bulls couldn't shake off an improved Force, the Perth-based side which has a surprisingly good record against the three-time champions, having won half their matchups.
The Force led in each half, the second time at 26-19 when lock Toby Lynn finished off a counterattack from inside their own half with a converted try in the 55th minute.
The home side began kicking less and their forwards gradually wore down the Force. Flyhalf Morne Steyn's fourth penalty closed the gap to four in the 69th, and two minutes later the Bulls rolled a lineout maul 22 metres to the tryline, sending reserve flanker Jean Cook over for the match-winner.
Steyn converted that and their fourth bonus-point try in injury time, to prop Werner Kruger.
The Bulls, still struggling to impose themselves, have two wins from two matches but will be sorely tested in their next four matches in New Zealand and Australia.
The Force made four changes after being humbled last weekend by the new Southern Kings, and the changes paid off. Lynn scored their second try, not long after flanker Angus Cottrell intercepted Steyn and ran 50 metres untouched to the posts, and Sias Ebersohn, the former Cheetahs flyhalf, made his first start and nailed all six of his shots at goal, including two dropped goals.
His counterpart Steyn also had a profitable day, with the first try launched from a lineout, and 16 points off his boot.
Right wing Sampie Mastriet scored on debut the Bulls' second try just after the break for a 19-12 lead, but it took another half-hour for them to subdue the Force.
___
Bulls 36 (Morne Steyn, Sampie Mastriet, Jean Cook, Werner Kruger tries; Steyn 2 conversions, 4 penalties), Western Force 26 (Angus Cottrell, Toby Lynn tries; Sias Ebersohn 2 conversions, 2 penalties, 2 dropped goals). HT: 14-9
More Other Sports
- Back to Top
- Return to Other Sports
More Other Sports
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Quade Cooper says he's had no contact with Australia coach Robbie Deans since squad omission
2:06 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Other Sports
- Handball family gathering
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Manitoba Marathon / Full Marathon Results
- Improvements eyed for Birds Hill bike trail
- Rochette pondering return to Olys
- Chennai chief executive faces police questioning as IPL spot-fixing investigation widens
- Vettori rules himself out of 2nd test; NZ taking all-pace attack to England at Headingley
- Senior Bowl has retro look
- Valel takes COMMAND in world of officiating
- Owl River opens to paddlers
- Handball family gathering
- Canberra ends Melbourne's 15-match win streak in the National Rugby League
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Rochette pondering return to Olys
- Ailing Hesjedal gets off the bike
- Why does Manitoba get short end of fishing rod?
- Unexpected Honours
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Trappers are happy -- very happy
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Why does Manitoba get short end of fishing rod?
- Sports scientist admits offering peptides to rugby league players, denies link to cancer death
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Impact study: Questionnaire aims to help local medical researcher shape new guidelines for when and how to safely get kids back on the field or rink after a concussion
- Riley family's $500-K donation covers most of Sports Hall of Fame
- Canberra ends Melbourne's 15-match win streak in the National Rugby League
- Owl River opens to paddlers
- On the HomeFront
- Rochette pondering return to Olys
- Owl River opens to paddlers
- Impact study: Questionnaire aims to help local medical researcher shape new guidelines for when and how to safely get kids back on the field or rink after a concussion
- Love the wilderness? Put Bloodvein on life list
- Trappers are happy -- very happy
- California man identified as victim of fatal skiing accident in southeast B.C.
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Bugs don't ruin day at Downs, they rule it
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Handball family gathering
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.