Veteran speedster Norman Denston got a perfect send-off to his retirement on Saturday when his Grahamstown Brumbies side stunned star-studded PE Police with a classy display at the Oval. The home side outplayed the visitors 37-26 after leading 19-13 at half time.
Veteran speedster Norman Denston got a perfect send-off to his retirement on Saturday when his Grahamstown Brumbies side stunned star-studded PE Police with a classy display at the Oval. The home side outplayed the visitors 37-26 after leading 19-13 at half time.
All-time top try scorer Denston first played for Brumbies in 2000.
Among the PE Police line-up were former Grahamstonians and Brumbies players Fabian and Christopher Juries.
Last year, the Police beat Brumbies when Fabian Juries scored a try in the last moments of the game to clinch the game 26-25. They also beat the Brumbies in a Super 12 game in Port Elizabeth earlier this year.
Things were different this time round, as both sides needed the win to end in the top 10 of the Eastern Province Rugby Union Super League.
Brumbies eighth man Peter Frans scored two of his side's five tries.
The visitors drew first blood with a penalty in the third minute, while Brumbies replied with a fine team try by captain Gareth Burger to give his side a 5-3 lead.
Minutes later a home side attack from their own half saw Ivor Andrews neatly put in a clever kick through for full back Duane Brown to collect and score.
Flyhalf Vincent Mains converted as Brumbies extended their lead 12-3.
Police scored to take the lead 13-12, but Brumbies replied immediately with another try, this time by Peter Frans. Mains successfully converted as Brumbies regained the lead before half-time, 19-13.
Brumbies flanker Allan Loutz bulldozed his way through the Police defence to score the first of his side's second half points.
Frans followed up with his second try to give Brumbies a commanding 31-16 lead. The visitors came back with a penalty and a converted try to a narrow 31-26.
Mains took the game away from the visitors with two further penalties and Brumbies won 37-26.
Denston showed his experience in his last game with some good runs out wide and his solid defence.
In the other match between the sides, Brumbies first reserves won 37-20. Deveron Maerman, Edgar Tarentaal, Jon Ross Randall and Skera Mfazwe scored tries.
Steve Abrahams scored two penalties and two conversions. Tevin Pillay made one conversion.
