Poor passing and ball retention from the Fedsure Western Province team cost them the points against a spirited Vodacom Bulldogs side at Fedsure Park Newlands in Cape Town on Friday. The men from East London eventually won 23-13, after leading 13-7 at the break.

The expansive approach promised by coaches Gert Smal and Carel du Plessies never materialised as the final pass inevitably seemed to go astray. However, credit must be given to a courageous Vodacom Bulldogs outfit, led brilliantly by the gutsy Graham Carlson, who put their bodies on the line in every tackle and 50-50 situation.
It was a match of two different game plans as visiting coach Kobus van der Merwe's team were content to kick at every opportunity, whereas the "Streeptruie" swung it wide on every occasion. But it was the conservative approach that paid off first as right wing David Maidza finished off a flowing move that started on the halfway line.

It took Fedsure Western Province all of 26 minutes to get their first points on the board - hooker Johan van Wyk barging over from a tap penalty. Scrumhalf Dan van Zyl converted, but six minutes later the visitors were back in the lead through a Greg Miller penalty. They consolidated their position with a try from lock Andre Fox in the dying minutes of the first half following some good work down the left-hand touchline.

The home side came out with more determination after the break, drawing level through two penalties from Van Zyl. They played a more structured game in the second half, comfortably leading the possession and territorial statistics, but still couldn't finish off clear try-scoring opportunities. An injury to star centre Werner Greeff (pictured), who seemed the most likely to break through the rock solid defence, further disrupted the backline, although his replacement, Werner Gey von Pittius, gave a good account of himself.

Another Miller penalty gave the Vodacom Bulldogs the lead, before veteran flanker Bennie Jacobs barged over to put the result beyond doubt. Once again it was turnover possession that resulted in the try when Province lost good, attacking ball on the halfway line. The try meant Fedsure Western Province needed to score twice to win, but some poor discipline in the latter stages of the game effectively ruled out a miracle comeback.