Free State registered a 29-18 victory against the Blue Bulls on day four of the U18 Academy Week in Paarl on Thursday.

In a hard-fought encounter, the pendulum swung one way then the other, but Free State ultimately had the final say to keep their unbeaten record intact.

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The Bulls deservedly held a slender 13-10 lead at half-time, but Tafadzwa Pikirayi led Free State’s second-half charge, scoring two tries to secure the win.

In another blockbuster clash, the Golden Lions and Eastern Province had to settle for a 21-21 draw. Neither team was able to gain the ascendancy. There were two penalty goals either way in the first half as they went into the break level at 6-6.

The same pattern followed in the second half as the teams traded blows again, scoring two tries and a further penalty goal each as they remained inseparable.

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There was another stalemate on day four when Griquas CD relinquished a seven-point lead to draw 26-26 with the Pumas CD.

In other results, Limpopo delivered a clinical performance to inflict a 25-14 defeat on the Western Province XV, the Griffons ground out a 15-6 victory against the Golden Lions XV, SWD were in fine form as they ran in seven tries to lash Eastern Province CD 45-15, and the Griffons CD recorded a 17-8 win over Border CD.

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Day 4 results:

Free State 29 Blue Bulls 18
Golden Lions 21 Eastern Province 21
Griquas CD 26 Pumas CD 26
Limpopo 25 Western Province XV 14
Griffons 15 Golden Lions XV 6
SWD 45 Eastern Province CD 15
Griffons CD 17 Border CD 8

Day 1 wrap
Day 2 wrap
Day 3 wrap

Photo: Youth Weeks/Twitter