A penalty by centre Oliver Fowles five minutes into referee’s optional time earned the Border Bulldogs a dramatic 19-19 draw against the Pumas at a wet East London’s Absa Stadium on Friday night. The Pumas led 19-3 at the break.
It was a game of two halves with the visitors doing the bulk of their scoring in the first and the Bulldogs in the second.
With a strong breeze at their backs, the Pumas were able to dominate, aided by some ill-discipline by the Bulldogs. As a result they were heavily punished by the accurate boot of fullback Riaan Smit, who kicked four penalties and a conversion, with the try by scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee coming in the fourth minute.
While the Bulldogs camped in the Pumas’ 22m area for much of the second half, their forwards were unable to make any inroads and had to be content with two penalties from Fowles.
However, when reserve lock Lungelo Payi was driven over for a converted try in the 38th minute, the Bulldogs suddenly realised they were in with a chance.
Keeping the ball in hand, they slowly managed to play their way upfield until they were awarded the penalty for offside that earned them their draw. — Sapa