The Vodacom Blue Bulls came to Mbombela Stadium tonight, May 27, and conquered.

The Tshwane-based team defeated the Airlink Pumas 24-17.

The Bulls deserved the victory in a match in which they dominated territory and possession.

The Pumas gave their best, but it was not good enough.

Tinus de Beer’s boot gave the Pumas a 6-0 lead after seven minutes. The fly half nailed two penalties.

But the Blue Bulls were on the front foot, dominating play, and David Kriel scored a try in the 18th minute after a sustained period of attack.

Johan Goosen slotted the conversion to give the visitors a 7-6 lead.

Eleven minutes later Goosen scored a try. The fly half positioned himself on the left wing, and again with the Bulls attacking claimed the five points. He converted his try.

The Vodacom Bulls led 14-6, which was also the half-time score.

De Beer converted two penalty kicks, in the 42nd and 55th minutes, to take the score to 14-12 in favour of the Bulls.

Goosen increased the visitors’ lead with a three-pointer of his own in the 59th minute.

Devon Williams tied the scores with a try in the 62nd minute. The nuggety full back wriggled himself out of a tackle to go over the try line.

De Beer failed with the conversion.

Kriel claimed his second try on 70 minutes. The Bulls kept possession through numerous phases with the full back finishing off the attack.

Goosen made no mistake with the conversion.

The Bulls led 24-17.

The Airlink Pumas gave their all in the time remaining to give their fans a win, but could not retain the possession to string together the needed offence.

The Bulls were the victors after 80 minutes. The score was an accurate reflection of the match.

The home side were beaten by a better team.

The Pumas remain fourth on the log with 36 points. The Bulls are sixth on 31.