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Blue Bulls win Vodacom Cup

Pretoria - As they did in 2008, the Blue Bulls again denied the Free State Cheetahs the Vodacom Cup with a nail biting 31-29 win on the Loftus B-field on Friday.

It was Brummer's second drop kick that clinched it - as it was two years ago when a TMO decision after the final hooter went against the Free State - and the Blue Bulls celebrated.

One could hardly help but feel sorry for the losers. They had done everything they needed to, and despite some fortuitous and inexplicable decisions going their way, the best side probably won on the day.

In a match where referee Joseph Jafta had a day he would - or should -rather forget, the Blue Bulls were behind 16-8 at the break. It was a clear case where an experienced referee should have been in control, and not a promising young official - and there were some harsh outspoken comments on that issue from both camps after the match.

Playing with impunity from the referee and plenty of guts the Free State side had the better of the first half against a Blue Bulls team that didn't adapt to the visitors, often off-sides around the rucks and in the backline. The Free State pack were also solid and very aggressive around the edges in defence, and the Blue Bulls seemed rattled.

The visitors were nevertheless full value for their 16-8 lead, despite a penalty and conversion missed by Blue Bulls flyhalf Francois Brummer which would have made things look better for the hosts.

The Bulls won a few lineouts against the throw before half-time, but the possession was seldom good enough to take any real take advantage. And with Free State fullback George Whitehead and his wings steady under some well-placed up-and-unders, the Blue Bulls seemed to have a mountain to climb as they went into the break 16-8 behind.

And the visitors stretched it to 19-8 with the unerring boot of Strydom who added a penalty shortly after half-time.

Inconsistency from Jafta puzzled both sides, but the Bulls seemed to have set aside their first-half problems with the referee and used their possession more effectively after the break.

They started winning good lineout ball, and spread it slightly wider from the rucks to avoid the off-side Free State forwards. It worked.

Seemingly out of the game, they came back with a great converted try under the posts which was rounded off by Sevens Springbok Deon Helberg (19-15).

Then Ernst Dinkelmann, on for injured John Mametsa, scored after more good inter-linking from the Blue Bulls, and with the conversion good the home side went ahead 22-19.

Brummer, who had a torrid time in the first half but nevertheless showed classy touches before the break, then got a poor pass and added three points with a flat drop.

It was obviously not connected as he intended, but the strike from about 48 metres out made it 25-19. Strydom pulled back three points with another penalty, and with Brummer reciprocating it was back to a six-point lead for the Bulls at 28-22.

Then, with about four minutes remaining, prop Riaan Vermeulen of the Free State drove over after a quick penalty had been taken. With Strydom, who had missed only one from eight kicks, on target again the Cheetahs sneaked ahead 29-28.

The Blue Bulls kicked off, the Free State charged back but transgressed. The Blue Bulls got a penalty, kicked it out and from the lineout they won the Free State turned over possession. They kept it, slowing the game down - but they were penalised in the ruck. The Bulls ran the penalty, were stopped, and with a slow ball coming out Brummer, for the second time in the match and from far out but right in front, let fly.

Again the wobbly kick went over, and the Blue Bulls collected their trophy.

Blue Bulls: Tries: Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Deon Helberg, Ernst Dinkelmann. Conversions: Francois Brummer (2). Penalties: Brummer (2). Drop goals: Brummer (2).

Free State Cheetahs: Tries: Barry Goodes, Riaan Vermeulen. Conversions: Louis Strydom (2). Penalties: Strydom (5)

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