PRETORIA, 24 April 2005 — Northern Bulls of South Africa kept in contention for a Super 12 semifinals place with a scrappy 29-26 victory over Waikato Chiefs of New Zealand yesterday.

But South African celebrations at climbing one place to sixth were dampened by the failure of Bulls to score four tries and secure a bonus point and they remain long shots for a last-four berth.

Bulls are six points adrift of fourth-placed Auckland Blues of New Zealand, who they host at Loftus Stadium Friday, with three rounds to go in the annual southern hemisphere inter-provincial rugby union championship.

Stand-in fly-half Morne Steyn was once again a key figure for Bulls, kicking five penalties from seven attempts and converting tries by center JP Nel and loose forward Jacques Cronje before a 26,000 crowd in cool, overcast conditions.

Center David Hill was even deadlier with the boot for mid-table Chiefs, finishing with a 100 percent place kicking record as he landed four penalties and converted tries by wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and fullback Sosene Anesi.

Stormers Stunned by Blues’ Comeback

In Cape Town, New Zealand’s Blues maintained their chase for a Super 12 semifinal place by securing a rousing 37-24 comeback win over South Africa’s Stormers at a wet Newlands yesterday.

The Blues overturned a 24-0 deficit midway through the first half by scoring 37 unanswered points between the 22nd and 80th minutes to leave the home team stunned.

Victory lifted the New Zealand team into fourth place in the standings with 26 points and three rounds of matches remaining.

The Stormers, who were under pressure after a heavy home loss to the Crusaders last week, made two late changes before kick off as well as five positional switches and scored three tries inside 20 minutes. Wing Tonderai Chavhanga and centers Jean de Villiers and De Wet Barry scored tries before the Blues stormed back.

Showing excellent composure the New Zealanders refused to panic and instead kept the ball in hand and brought their dangerous runners into play.

Sinfield Keeps Leeds Flying High

In Widnes, England, Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield scored the 1,000th point of his career as he helped the champions extend their lead at the top of the Super League table with a 42-20 win at Widnes. The stand-off scored two of his side’s seven tries and landed all seven conversions as the Rhinos’ 10th win of the season put them four points clear of nearest challengers St. Helens, who play at Huddersfield today.

Despite being hit by an outbreak of mumps, which left them without stand-off Owen Craigie and winger Misili Manu, Widnes gave a battling performance. But the Vikings remain threatened with relegation after their ninth defeat in 11 matches. Leeds raced into an early 12-0 lead and although Widnes managed to draw level two more tries gave Leeds a 24-12 lead at the break.

Last-Gasp Stade Beat Biarritz to Reach Heineken Final

In Paris, a try in the ninth minute of injury time by winger Christophe Dominici gave Stade Francais a remarkable 20-17 victory over Biarritz yesterday and a place in the Heineken Cup final.

Stade had trailed throughout the match but the France winger slipped through two tackles at the death to secure the most dramatic of victories.

Biarritz, who had showed their pedigree by finishing above two-time champions Leicester and holders Wasps in their qualifying pool, led 9-3 at half-time after three Dimitri Yachvili penalties to one from Jerome Filol.

Stade improved after the break but, after an exchange of penalties, Biarritz appeared clear as center Damien Traille scored in the 64th minute to make it 17-6.