Western Province, bolstered by the prolific kicking boot of their flyhalf Willem de Waal, were full value for their 32-0 victory over the Lions in an Currie Cup rugby match at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.
Three tries after a glut of possession was scant reward for the delightful fare which the home side dished up for the 20 000 fans who watched the match.
The Lions' were repeatedly punished throughout the match for playing offside and this made for a field day for De Waal who banged over five penalties.
Province were rewarded for their enterprising start with a De Waal penalty in the fourth minute by which time the home side's pack had taken the initiative with penetrative drives in the Lions' half.
And when possession came the Lions' they too tried to play attractively and managed early forays up to the fringes of the Province 22 metre area where they driven back with smart tactical kicking by Province fullback Conrad Jantjes and De Waal.
However, handling errors often crept into the movements of both teams, often resulting in turn-overs which caused the game to flow to and fro. Province were easily the more dominant and as they applied the pressure they grew in confidence.
When they were awarded an 18th minute penalty smack bang in front of the Lions' posts, they opted for a kick to touch.
From the resultant line-out flanker Pieter Louw peeled off to sneak past the Lions defence for the opening try of the match. Flyhalf De Waal's 19th minute conversion was on target, as was his two penalty attempts in the ensuing 10 minutes (16-0).
There should have been at least one more try for Province soon afterwards but they were repeatedly held up just short of the tryline by stout defence from the visitors.
Province also had the benefit of the feeds at two five-metre scrums but they were unable to exploit their good fortunes.
On either side of the halftime break De Waal's prolific boot kept the scoreboard ticking over with two penalties, after the Lions were ruled offside (22-0).
Province continued to enjoy the upper hand as the second half wore on but handling errors brought a premature end to several promising movements at this stage of the match.
Province did, however, manage to put one backline movement together without blemish in the 51st minute and Jantjes added the finishing touch by dotting down near the Railway Stand corner flag.
De Waal's conversion attempt failed (27-0). Just after this advance the Lions managed to undo Province's stranglehold on the match by pinning Province down in their own half.
They launched several determined raids on the Province tryline but could not find a way past the defence.
A penalty for Province in front of their posts helped them to transfer play to the Lions half where they enjoyed a brief so-journ before the Lions sent them backpedalling again.
A 70th minute break out from their own 10 metre line saw Province work their way down the left and their foray ended with an unconverted try by substitute loosie Pieter Myburgh near the corner flag.
At the death the Lions were within sight of the Province tryline but their best efforts just bounced off the stubborn Province defence.
Tries: Pieter Louw, Conrad Jantjes and Pieter Muburgh.
Conversion: Willem de Waal (1).
Penalties: De Waal (5).
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