DAVID SHAPSHAK, Pretoria | Friday 10.00pm.
THE Chiefs defeated the Northern Bulls 39-31 in their Super 12 clash at Loftus Versveld stadium under lights on Friday.
The Chiefs, who scored five tries to three, led 26-10 at the break.
Playing only for honour in the last round of the Super 12 before the semi-finals, the Chiefs sentenced the Bulls to becoming the worst side in the tournament’s history.
While the bottom-of-the-log Bulls have won only one of their 11 matches this season, the Chiefs have not faired much better, winning five of theirs.
Through intermittent rain the Chiefs dominated the first half, scored twice within the first ten minutes.
Scrumhalf Rhys Duggan scored a cheeky try from a penalty in the Bulls’ 22 as the home side gathered under the posts expecting a penalty kick, when Duggan surprised them and ran in.
Minutes earlier Glen Marsh scored from broken play.
But the Bulls replied when prop Jaco Espag scoring from a one metre line-out.
Minutes later when the Chiefs kicked for clearance, fullback Marius Goosen collected and slotted a drop goal from outside the halfway mark.
But All Black centre Walter Little was instrumental in two tries, beating his man to set away Bruce Reihana, who was named man-of-the-match, and intercepting a wayward pass that saw Jonah Lomu dot down for a bonus point as the half-time siren blew.
Steyn added two penalties after the break, before a breakaway by Stanley Raubenheimer saw Janneman Brand. Another Steyn try reduced the Chiefs lead to two points.
But substitute Matthew Cooper slotted a penalty and Reihana scored his second, a 60 metre run weaving between defenders.
While a converted Goosen try brought the Bulls back into the game, Jackson slotted a drop goal, to put it beyond doubt.