KEY POINTS:
A stirring try by big lock Tom Donnelly was not enough for Highlanders to stop the resurgent Bulls at Loftus Versfeld park when they lost 47-17 in Super 14 Rugby today.
Playing in their white strip in temperatures of 25 degrees at the Loftus Versfeld field, in stark contrast to the Otago snow of home, the Highlanders stumbled just minutes into the game.
The resulting free kick from in front of the goal post by Bulls first five Morne Steyn gave Bulls the confidence to run and spread the ball wide.
Bulls captain Wikus van Heerden was a happy man at the end.
"We set out to fix up what went wrong (against the Hurricanes), enjoy the game and play to our potential," he said.
For the Highlanders it was the back surge they couldn't handle.
Captain Craig Newby simply said: "We made too many mistakes and they killed us."
Man of the match Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner led the charge breaking the Highlanders line to score two tries.
Trailing 11-nil 10 minutes into the game, the hapless Highlanders could not contain the Bulls with first five Morne Steyne punishing penalty errors kicking three goals inside the first 15 minutes.
Stand out winger Akona Ndungane who scored three tries in all, consolidated the advantage for Bulls with his first try midway through the first half.
An heroic defensive take by fullback Paul Williams of a high kick through from freight train Bulls winger Bryan Haban a added some starch to the Highlanders defence.
The Highlanders rallied with Steven Setephano, who played an outstanding game, injecting vigour into the mauls and moving the ball forward with short driving runs.
But it was a temporary affair as the Bulls moved to consolidate its hold on possession pushing the Highlanders into a tight defence an forcing errors.
The Bulls were 21 points clear when James Wilson kicked a penalty but Kirchner's second try gave the Bulls a 28-3 lead at half-time .
Bulls continued its scoring spree five minutes into the second half with Kircher again figuring in a sweeping play initiated and completed by JP Nel. The Steyne conversion pushed Bulls to 35-3 five minutes into the second half.
Highlanders continued to plug away with Hoani Macdonald soaring in the lineouts to dominate this phase of play working in concert with hooker Jason Macdonald.
Jimmy Cowan patched with a blood-stained head bandage that reflected his commitment to contesting possession, worked in support of his captain Craig Newby and gave Johnny Leota and Ta'auso the opportunity show some flair.
Power and the courage began to show through the tarnish with 17 minutes of the match remaining when replacement lock Hayden Trigg claimed possession from near the Bulls 22 metre mark.
He surged into the defensive line, slipping the ball Chris King. Heaving against the Bulls forward defence with Trigg and a bevvy of powerful forwards in support, King pushed over the line to score. James Wilson converted.
With 12 minutes to go the game was on with Highlanders surging into the loose play and moving the ball at every opportunity.
Donnelly burst hope into the hearts of the Highlanders as he received inside the 22 metre mark and threw his long legs into a sprint that carried him between the posts to score. The conversion by Wilson closed the gap to 35-17.
But the Bulls were not quite finished and Pedrie Wannenburg finished a strong attacking move to score before the Bulls stand out back Ndungane strode down the line to score again, this time for the final time inside the last five minutes.
Scorers: Bulls 47, Zane Kirchner 2, Ndungane 2, JP Nel, Pedrie Wannenburg tries; Morne Steyne (4) conversions and three penalties.
Highlanders 17, Chris King, Tom Donnelly tries; James Wilson (2) conversions and a penalty.
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
- NZPA
