9th April 2010 10:50PM

The Chiefs went down 19-33 to the Bulls tonight in round nine of the Rebel Sport Super 14 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton tonight.

It was a tense encounter for three quarters of the game, before the Bulls ran away with the lead.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said post-match: "execution was good for us in the first three quarters of the game."

"It was a concentrated effort, but one that we didn't sustain for eighty minutes."

Chiefs captain Liam Messam was pleased with how the Chiefs "physically fronted" in tonight's match against the Bulls, adding that was a positive to take into next Friday night's clash with the Stormers in Hamilton.

The Bulls scored the opening points in the match with a try to young winger Gerhard van deen Heever.  Morne Steyn did not convert. Just a minute later Chiefs halfback Brendon Leonard crossed the line thanks to a great kick through by rookie fullback Tim Nanai-Williams.

Chiefs kicker Stephen Donald converted Leonard's try.  Then the Bulls enjoyed a penalty in the 17th minute, with the Chiefs successful with a penalty in the 27th minute.  It was then time for Bulls number eight Pierre Spies to score a try in his 50th match for the Bulls. 

Donald scored the final points of the first half with a penalty. The Chiefs were down 13-15 at half-time.

The Chiefs started the second half strongly with two penalties in the first ten minutes, however, these were to be the Chiefs only points in this half.  Then Steyne kicked two more penalties, followed by a try to Gary Botha, a conversion, and a final Bulls try to Dewald Potgieter.

Foster said: "we have two more home games in a row and these are important for us to stay in the hunt."

The Chiefs will now re-group and prepare for their next home match against the Stormers on Friday night.  

Secure tickets now for the Chiefs v Stormers match on Friday 16 April at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.  Tickets are available now from www.chiefs.co.nz; gate one Waikato Stadium (from Monday), and the usual Chiefs ticket outlets.

First Half

Try: Leonard

Conversion: Donald

Penalties: Donald (2)

HALF-TIME SCORE: 13-15 (Bulls) 

Second Half

Penalties: Donald (2)

FULL-TIME SCORE: 19-33 (Bulls)

The Chiefs team to play the Bulls was:

1. Sona Taumalolo
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke
5. Culum Retallick
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Sione Lauaki
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Mike Delany
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Stephen Donald
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Tim Nanai-Williams

Reserves: 16. Vern Kamo (on for Elliot), 17. Toby Smith (on for Taumalolo), 18. Jarrad Hoeata (on for Retallick), 19.Colin Bourke (on for Lauaki) 20. Junior Poluleuligaga, 21. Callum Bruce (on for Delany), 22. Jackson Willison (on for Kahui).