Challenge Cup result: Bulls edge Bayonne to qualify for quarters

The Bulls delivered a quality performance in a fairly hostile environment in Bayonne on Saturday afternoon to beat the home team 32-22 to qualify for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Jake White’s men were the better team in most departments in the last-16 game and will stay on in Europe for next weekend’s match against Edinburgh, the side that beat the Lions on Friday night.

Foundation laid up front

The Bulls scored four tries to three, with their forwards setting the tone for the match with a powerful display up front, while the backs also produced some strong rugby. Marcell Coetzee led the charge, but equally impressive were replacements Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Cameron Hanekom in the second half.

Among the backs, Zak Burger was excellent, while David Kriel, Sergeal Petersen, Stravino Jacobs and Devon Williams were dangerous with ball in hand.

White will also be pleased with his team’s defence which was generally good throughout the match.

After a strong start by Bayonne, the Bulls slowly worked their way into the match and thanks to tries by Petersen, in the 10th minute, and Reinhardt Ludwig, in the 39th minute, the visitors led15-8 at the break.

Kriel then scored just after half-time and with the successful conversion the Bulls went into a 22-8 lead.

Bayonne hit back with a converted try of their own to close the gap to seven points and when Bulls hooker Akker van der Merwe was sin-binned in the 56th minute for a high tackle, the game was very much in the balance.

But Marco van Staden went over from close range with just over 10 minutes to go to give the Bulls some breathing space though Bayonne did get a third try of their own late on to ensure a tense finish. Replacement flyhalf Johan Goosen however slotted an 80th minute penalty to give the Bulls a 10-point win.