Bulls hold firm to keep Leinster out

IT'S a third successive season without a trophy for Leinster with the Bulls deservedly winning an epic encounter to reach the URC final.

- SIMON THOMAS

Having lost the Champions Cup final to Toulouse last month, the Irish province suffered more knock-out misery as they were outplayed overall in this titanic semi-final at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld.

Winger Sergeal Petersen went from villain to hero for the home side as he made amends for a first-half yellow card by crossing for a brace of match-winning tries after the break.

The player of match award went to No.8 the Cameron Hanekom who capped an immense display with a huge turnover hit on opposite number Caelan Doris after Leinster had gone through 21 phases in a late kitchen sink assault.

When the game got underway, the Bulls' tactics soon became apparent as they repeatedly looked to outflank the opposition defence through the pinpoint cross-kicking of full-back Willie Le Roux.