Ken Borland

The Bulls did manage to get on the board in the 20^th minute when the Reds were penalised for playing the man in the air at the lineout, with Brummer slotting the kick.

The first Bulls try came in the 32^nd minute after the scrum had earned a penalty. From the lineout, outside centre Jesse Kriel stepped his way through the gap and, from a ruck under the poles, tighthead prop Marcel van der Merwe picked up the ball and burrowed over the line.

Young locks Jason Jenkins and RG Snyman are forming a formidable partnership for the Bulls and they played impressive roles as the Bulls swept back on to the attack from the kickoff and, after a series of strong drives from the forwards, Jenkins being stopped just short of the line, hooker Adriaan Strauss picked the ball up out of the ruck and dived over to score his team’s second try.

As the halftime hooter went, with the Reds stuck on five points for 35 minutes, flank Liam Gill casually slotted a 30-metre drop goal to end the first half on a rather outrageous note.

Jenkins was again to the fore in the 46^th minute as he and Strauss caught the Reds in possession with great defence, leading to an offsides penalty, converted by the reliable Brummer (20-8).

But the main interest, given how firmly in control they looked, was whether the Bulls backline could click.

The initial signs were highly promising as, from a lineout, centre Jan Serfontein’s deft chip over the defence was gathered by his midfield partner Kriel, who produced a lovely offload inside for Brummer, who quickly sent flank Lappies Labuschagne racing away for the line.

The Reds looked down and out at 27-8 down, but they began to get some possession in the right areas thanks to some great touchfinders by Jake McIntyre and Hunt. The Reds managed to take a lineout off the Bulls in the 53^rd minute, which was the only throw the home side lost, spreading the ball wide to outside centre Samu Kerevi, who cut back inside on a powerful run which took him straight over the tryline.

McIntyre converted and the Reds trailed 15-27, which became 22-27 just six minutes later as Kerevi scored again, taking the direct route to the tryline after the wonderful hands of midfield partner Anthony Fainga’a had put him away.

But Travis Ismaiel, who drifted outside his marker Hunt, and raced away down the right wing after fullback SP Marais had found him with a long pass, ensured that the Bulls would have some breathing space heading into the closing stages as his try gave them a 34-22 lead after Brummer’s conversion.

The Bulls would have the final say as replacement scrumhalf Piet van Zyl, who has been getting decent game time as Paige has not been at his best, was able to dive over for a try to round off concerted pressure by the home side.

The Bulls’ attacking intent has been slowly evolving and there was plenty of endeavour at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night, but the execution was often lacking.

But coach Nollis Marais has identified some young talents that undoubtedly have bright futures. Snyman and Jenkins are building an outstanding second row partnership, while Jannes Kirsten has been phenomenally consistent as a tough-as-nails flank.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the bonus point, the Bulls are still level-pegging with the Stormers and Lions, and are looking good for at least a conference wildcard given how the Sharks are currently struggling.

Scorers

Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss, Lappies Labuschagne, Travis Ismaiel, Piet van Zyl.Conversions: Francois Brummer (5). Penalties: Brummer (2).

Reds – Tries: Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi (2). Conversions: Jake McIntyre (2). Drop goal: Liam Gill.

The Titans had elected to bat first, but national opener Dean Elgar made only a brief visit to the crease, surviving one delivery and then being bowled second ball by Mathew Pillans.

The highly-promising Theunis de Bruyn and Henry Davids, the Titans captain, then added 95 for the second wicket as the Titans went into the lunch break on 95 for one.

The runs flowed freely straight after the interval, with De Bruyn scoring 52 and Davids 79, the partnership being extended to 137, before the persevering Pillans made the breakthrough.

De Bruyn’s concentration deserted him as he prodded outside off stump and was caught behind by Morne van Wyk off Pillans.

Daryn Dupavillon then struck two major blows against the Titans when he dismissed Davids, well-caught at second slip by Daryn Smit, and Roelof van der Merwe, who had the gross misfortune of being caught down the leg side for a duck, in the space of three deliveries.

Graeme van Buuren (34) and Qaasim Adams (24) restored order to the zoo with a fifth-wicket stand of 58, but left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was the Dolphins’ other key bowler alongside pacemen Dupavillon and Pillans, made the crucial breakthrough by having Adams caught at slip by Smit.

From 209 for four, the Titans tumbled to 267 all out, with wicketkeeper Mangaliso Mosehle the only batsman to stand firm with a bright 41.

The pacy Dupavillon (19-4-67-3) and Pillans (21.1-4-80-3) spearheaded the Dolphins attack and were always at the batsmen on what looked a good batting track, while Maharaj, who at one stage had bowled six overs for four runs, returned outstanding figures of three for 51 in 28 overs.

Divan van Wyk and Imraan Khan, the Dolphins openers, made merry in the 40 minutes before the close, reducing the deficit to 216 runs.

The in-form Khan stroked six boundaries in the 31 balls he faced, breezing to 32 not out, while Van Wyk, the younger brother of captain Morne, was on 17 not out.

Khan was particularly severe on Ethy Mbhalati, taking the veteran seamer for three boundaries in the second over he bowled.

http://citizen.co.za/343089/titans-vs-dolphins-first-day/