The DHL Stormers Bolts were held to a 28-28 draw by the Fidelity ADT Lions U20 in a hard-fought clash at City Park on Saturday.
Both teams took three log points from what was an even contest throughout, in what were cold and wet conditions in Athlone.
The home side made a strong start, and it wasn’t long before they unlocked the defence with scrumhalf Jayden Brits putting Jordan Jooste through a gap with a clever switch pass next to a ruck.
The big loosehead turned on the pace and dived to score, with Brits adding the conversion.
The visitors responded with a maul try to level things up, and they dominated territory for some time, with the DHL Stormers Bolts defence standing up well under pressure.
Instead, it would be the Bolts to score next as they converted their next entry into the 22, with No.8 Quintin Potgieter powering over.
Potgieter got his second just before half-time, after a great run and chip ahead from centre Randall-John Davids had put them in position to strike.
That saw the Bolts take a 21-7 advantage into the break at City Park.
Fidelity ADT Lions U20 hit back with a try from wing Adriano Jackson early in the second half and followed up with another maul try to level it up once more at 21-21.
The visitors took the lead for the first time through another try from close quarters, leaving the DHL Stormers Bolts with it all to do.
They responded well, by charging into the 22 where lock Dominic Sesink-Clee forced his way over. The conversion from Brits brought them level again at 28-28.
Both teams had their opportunities to seal the win, but it was not to be as it ended in a deadlock.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers Bolts:
Tries: Jooste, Potgieter 2, Sesink-Clee
Cons: Brits 4
DHL Stormers Bolts: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Randall-John Davids, 12 Samuel Badenhorst, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Dawid Badenhorst, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Quinton Potgieter, 7 Aden da Costa (captain), 6 Alutha Wesi, 5 Dominic Sesink-Clee, 4 Alexander Smith, 3 Zak Hickman, 2 Xabiso Mkiva, 1 Jordan Jooste.
Replacements: 16 Ismaeel Conrad, 17 Unaye Mndau, 18 Lukho Mtwana, 19 Ethan Combrink, 20 Wihan Kotze, 21 Tyrone Gombe, 22 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 23 Luca Potgieter.
