The EP Kings ran over the Griffons in a 67-26 win in their Absa Currie Cup First Division clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday night.
The Kings romped to victory in spectacular style as they ran in 11 tries in total, while the Griffons from Welkom replied with merely four of their own.
The EP Kings ran over the Griffons in a 67-26 win in their Absa Currie Cup First Division clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday night.
The Kings romped to victory in spectacular style as they ran in 11 tries in total, while the Griffons from Welkom replied with merely four of their own.
It was a very one-sided affair from the outset as the Kings crossed for their first try in the seventh minute when fullback SP Marais touched down in the corner.
It was chaos from then onwards for the Griffons as the defending champions secured the four-try bonus point within 25 minutes. Current Captain and former Springbok and Bath star Luke Watson was in splendid form as he earned the title of man of the match.
The Kings captain seemed unstoppable on the night and was a thorn in the Griffons' side both on attack and defence.
His work at the breakdown was exceptional but Watson’s true display of skill came when he regathered his own chip to feed centre Jaco Bekker for what was the best try of the night.
It was a very open game which saw the Kings backline prosper from some hard work done by a very solid forward pack that boasts the likes of former Otago Highlander Clint Newland and Cheetahs stalwart Barend Pieterse.
The free-flowing game was a real treat for the small crowd that made their way to the stadium and it was the exciting speed and skill of wing Norman Nelson and centre Siyanda Grey that kept the fans cheering all night.
There was also a Grahamstown flavour to the game as Watson was quoted on his Twitter account as saying “Big shout out to all the Rhodes boys that came through to make some noise for the Kings!! Really appreciate it! #TheShip”.
The future of EP Rugby seems bright with Watson and former Springbok assistant coach, Alan Solomans taking the union along the glorified path to Super Rugby in 2013.
It is heartwarming to see the passion and desire restored to the proud union that is Eastern Province Rugby and as their slogan says, Rugby is on the Rise.
Scorers: EP Kings 67 – Tries: SP Marais, Norman Nelson (2), Siyanda Grey, Jaco Bekker (2), Marcello Sampson (3), Fallie Oelschig, Luke Watson. Conversions: George Whitehead (6). Griffons 26 – Tries: Ricardo Pietersen, Enrico Schultz, Nicky Steyn, Tertius Maarman. Conversions: Tertius van Wyk (2), Jannie Myburgh.
