Bulls 50 Highlanders 35
PRETORIA - In another Super 14 rugby result of cricket proportions, a rampant Bulls team was too clinical and powerful for the Highlanders in running up a 50-35 win at Loftus Versveld stadium, Pretoria, this morning.
It was the third half-century of the season by the Bulls in what was a 12-try romp that saw a brave come-back attempt in the second half by the Highlanders. Visiting skipper Jamie MacIntosh admitted to Supersport Television after the game that in the early stages his side "was staring down the barrel of 100 points" but he was proud of the way his team fought back to score three second-half tries.
Enterprising fullback Israel Dagg was outstanding in snaring a hat-trick of tries from incisive running.
The Bulls went into the match as overwhelming favourites, and lead by No 8 Pierre Spies, the clinical forward pack provided the platform for its backline to make full use of the ball.
The imbalance of power between the two teams was further emphasised by the absence of two of the Highlanders' most influential players, the curfew-breaking Adam Thompson and Michael Hobbs, who had been stood down for disciplinary reasons by the visitors' management.
The Highlanders started promisingly enough but reality set in when Bulls hooker Gary Botha ran in the first of five first-half home tries, the best being a brilliant individual effort by fledgling wing Gerhard van der Heever.
The onslaught was assisted by some porous Highlanders defence.
Against the tide, Dagg answered with two tries himself in the first 40 minutes, but by the break the Bulls had a 36-14 lead.
The Highlanders rejigged their line-up with the Southland contingent of Jason Rutledge, James Hardie and Robbie Robinson, who, along with Hayden Triggs, brought new life into their ranks.
The early try to flanker Tim Boys was a signal for a much-improved second-half performance.
But the Bulls' points advantage was too great to peg back and the high veldt team proved they are front-runners to retain their title from last season.
Bulls 50 (Francois Hougaard 2, Pierre Spies 2, Gary Botha, Wynand Olivier, Gerhard van den Heever tries Morne Steyn 6 cons pen) bt Highlanders 35 (Israel Dagg 3, Tim Boys, Robbie Robinson tries Matthew Berquist 3, Dagg 2 cons) at Loftus Versfeld.
- NZPA
