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Still hope Win keeps Cats within reach of semis
Posted: Saturday April 22, 2000 01:02 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) -- South Africa's Cats, spurred by flyhalf Louis Koen, beat defending Super 12 rugby union champion Crusaders of New Zealand 54-31 at Ellis Park on Saturday. Koen contributed 24 points with six conversions, three penalties and a drop goal to ensure his side still has an outside chance of making the semifinals. The Cats led from start to finish, opening the scoring with a try to scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel in the second minute and ending with a try to fullback Thinus Delport on full time. The home team's back row was brilliant in starving its opposition of quality ball and putting halfbacks Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens under severe pressure. The Cats led 27-12 at halftime with further tries to centers Japie Mulder and Grant Esterhuizen. They increased the lead with their fourth try early in the second half through captain and flank Johan Erasmus which sparked the visitors to life. With the Cats down to ten men after Hennie Le Roux was sin-binned for a professional foul in the 61st minute, the Crusaders scored 12 points in a 15-minute spell that brought them to within three points of the lead. Gaping holes in the defense saw wing Afato So'oalo and fullback Leon MacDonald exploit the space and score well-taken tries. But when Le Roux returned the Cats were able to plug the holes on defense and scored two late tries through Delport to seal the win.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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