Pretoria - The Blue bulls kept their hopes of securing a home semi-final alive by eking out a 36-32 victory over arch rivals Western Province at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Absa Currie Cup derby was a brutal battle between two of the toughest packs in the competition and as anticipated, neither side were willing to take unnecessary risks.

Though they looked the better of the two sides for most of the match, WP now have a mountain to climb if they wish to finish the round robin stage as runners up.

Next week they host the Sharks in a match they now have to win if they are to avoid playing their semi away from home.

The visitors dominated possession and territory in the first quarter but had to settle for two penalties by flyhalf Willem de Waal which could just as easily have been tries.

The home side will be the first to admit that neither their kickers nor their chasers were putting enough pressure on Province’s prolific back three.

Conrad Jantjes was solid under the high ball and even when the Bulls managed to produce the rare turnover with the high-kick-and-charge strategy, they were beaten for pace at the breakdowns by an in-form Pieter Louw and Duane Vermeulen.

Both sides resorted to the boot for most of the first half.

Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter landed a long range penalty in the 20th minute to reduce the six-point lead to three, but from the returning kick-off veteran winger Jaco van der Westhuyzen fumbled, handing possession right back to the WP.

This allowed the best defensive side in the competition to show their skill on attack with flank Francois Louw splitting the Bulls backline and sending centre Juan de Jongh over under the posts in the 22nd minute.

Then in one of the first controversial moments of the match Dewald Potgieter, who came on as a blood substitution, was sent-off for allegedly tripping Province wing Gio Aplon as he followed up a sneaky chip-kick over the Bulls backline.

As it turned out, Aplon fell over his own feet, but despite the one-man shortage the Bulls kept their cool and stuck to their boot orientated plan.

Eventually they managed to capitalise on a Province error when Okkie Kruger dived over for the home side’s first try.

This was a crucial turning point in the match and arguably the moment Province let their chance to win slip through their fingers.

Kruger’s converted try reduced the deficit from 13 points to 7 as the teams entered the tunnel at 16-10.

The players were barely back on the pitch when the second yellow card of the afternoon was handed out by Craig Joubert.

This time Springbok centre Jean de Villiers was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Bulls fly half Potgieter, and again it will be argued that the official’s decision was a bit harsh.

Province were however not as fortunate as the Bulls who survived without one of their men and had to watch Potgieter convert a penalty while Man-of-the-Match centre Stefan Watermeyer went over for his team’s second try.

The home side took the lead for the first time in the 45th minute but could never get the visitors off their backs.

Even when fullback Zane Kirchner stretched the lead to 27-19, Province always looked like they could come back as their forwards were fearless going into contact.

De Waal kept chipping away with his accurate boot and even though the Bulls added three more through a sneaky penalty by Van der Westhuyzen, the visitors never panicked.

Chiliboy Ralepelle was forced to play flank while skipper Derick Kuun had a blood injury attended. And unfortunately for the Springbok hooker, who enjoyed an outstanding afternoon in the run-on squad, a lapse in concentration allowed the men from Cape Town right back into the match.

Ralepelle flung a pass destined for wing Gerhard van den Heever, but it fell short and a lightning fast Gio Aplon pounced to get over the try line untouched. De Waal tapped over the conversion to make it 33-32.

The home side kept the ball tight and were eventually rewarded with a penalty to open the gap once again.

Scorers:

Blue Bulls 36 (10):

Tries - Okkie Kruger, Stefan Watermeyer, Zane Kirchner.

Conversions - Jacques-Louis Potgieter (3) Penalties Potgieter (4) Drop goals – Jaco van der Westhuyzen (1).

Western Province 32 (10): Tries- Juan De Jongh, Gio Aplon

Conversions - Willem de Waal (2) Penalties – De Waal (6).

Cards: Dewald Potgieter (yellow 26th minute), Jean de Villiers (yellow 41st minute)