The Phakisa Pumas showed flair and skill in defeating the Thepa Trading Griffons on the first day of the u/13 Craven Week at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira yesterday.

They overpowered the northern Free Staters 22-0.

Flanker, Jonny Dos Santos Hilario cut through the defence to score the first try. Cian Maritz converted for a 7-0 lead.

Just before half time, Pumas loose forward Lethuxolo Shabalala tapped a penalty eight metres from the try line. He caught the defenders napping and scored under the uprights.

The Pumas dominated the first half and held a deserved 12-0 lead.

The home union’s u/13 team continued playing well-disciplined, simple, running rugby in the second half. They had solid set pieces and played with confidence.

The Griffons made too many unforced errors and battled with the pace of the match.

It was only a matter of time before the Griffons’ defence was breached and lock, Bradley Claassen and wing, Siphesihle  Mkhatshwa scored tries, neither of which was converted.

The Pumas were too strong for the Griffons. They did the basics well and the rest of the game plan fell into place.

The young Mpumalanga team will face the Cheetahs on the A field at 12:00 today.

Monday results

Free State Cheetahs 27-7 Namibia

Itec Griquas 31-5 Old Mutual Zimbabwe

Leopards 19-14 Border Country Districts

Itec Blue Bulls 22-17 EP Elephants

Sharks 31-5 SWD

Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions 57-7 Border

Forever Resorts Limpopo Blue Bulls 27-24 Boland

DHL Western Province 70-12 ITS Valke

Thepa Trading Griffons 0-22 Phakisa Pumas

Tuesday fixtures

09:00: Border Country Districts v Old Mutual Zimbabwe

10:00: Border v Leopards

11:00: Thepa Trading Griffons v Namibia

12:00: Phakisa Pumas v Free State Cheetahs

13:00: Itec Griquas v ITS Valke

14:00: Itec Blue Bulls v SWD

15:00: Sharks v EP Elephants

16:00: Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions v Boland

17:00: DHL Western Province v Forever Resorts Limpopo Blue Bulls