OWN CORRESPONDENT, Border | Sunday 8.30PM.
BORDER came just one point away from beating their illustrious neighbours Western Province on Sunday, after a brilliant comeback from 12-0 down at halftime. But in the end, a bounce off the left-hand upright is what denied them victory, letting Western Province go home with a 15.-14 win.
After a bad first half, Border turned the game around in the second, often robbing Province of the ball and capitalising on tactical errors. Then in the 81st minute, it looked as if Border would take the lead, when right wing David Maidza scored a try in the left hand corner. The conversion by scrumhalf John Bradbrook looked perfect — until it struck the upright and bounced back on field, amid groans from the home crowd. Bradbrook’s boot had earlier landed three penalties, but he also missed one relatively easy one, which might also have won the game for Border.
Province dominated in the first half, but were unable to penetrate a tight defence, which is why they scored only two tries, from wing Breyten Paulse (20th minute) and flanker Bobby Skinstadt, hero of last week’s Tri Nations. Flyhalf Louis Koen scored one conversion and one penalty.