THE EP Kings U19 rugby side consolidated their position at the top of the log and ensured they would finish in the top two when they defeated the Leopards 33-14 in the Absa U19 Provincial Championship at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (September 26).
THE EP Kings U19 rugby side consolidated their position at the top of the log and ensured they would finish in the top two when they defeated the Leopards 33-14 in the Absa U19 Provincial Championship at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (September 26).
In scoring the five-try victory to earn a bonus point, the Kings moved 12 points ahead of third-placed Blue Bulls. With just two league matches remaining, EP, on 46 points, cannot be overhauled by the Bulls (34 points after 10 games), while Western Province lay second going into the weekend on 37 points from 10 matches.
The Kings scored as early as the second minute when they swiftly cracked the Leopards defence for big lock Lusanda Badiyana to force his way over and they were always in control against the Potch visitors.
The Leopards, though, never gave up the fight and spent a lot of time in EP's 22-metre area, but struggled to penetrate a determined home defence.
Their first try came from a good kick by scrumhalf Siyabonga Masuku when he spotted acres of space down the left flank for fullback De Wet Terblanche to gather and sprint over. They crossed again in the 53rd minute when a slick line movement saw them outflank the EP defence for wing Zweli Siluale to slide over in the lefthand corner.
The Kings, though, led 14-0 after 18 minutes and 21-7 at halftime before adding a further two tries in the second half to destroy any chance the visitors may have entertained of scoring an upset.
After sustained pressure, scrumhalf James Hall darted over from close range for EP's second try and then the forwards, who often mauled the Leopards back metres at a time, again applied the same treatment from a lineout for flank SF Nieuwoudt to dot down.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Kings created space down the right side and wing Athi Mayinje showed excellent finishing skills to sprint over, while skipper and centre Jeremy Ward sealed it for the home side in the 57th minute when he dodged several defenders for a fine try.
The point-scorers were:
EP Kings 33: tries by Lusanda Badiyana, James, Hall, SF Nieuwoudt, Athi Mayinje, Jeremy Ward; two conversions by Michael Brink; two conversions by James Hall.
Leopards 14: tries by De Wet Terblanche, Zweli Siluale; two conversions by Bernhard Janse van Rensburg.
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