By Chesley Daniels
Old Collegians (OC) took sweet revenge against Klipfontein United in their Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) South Eastern Districts Rugby Sub-Union (SEDRU) Regional League fixture match with a fine 30-11 win at the Albany Sports Ground on Saturday.
Rhodes Stallions also registered a bonus point 31-7 win over Kowie United, while Ndlambe Tigers beat Rosebuds 17-7, St Marks Alicedale went down 10-24 against Eastern PE and Trying Stars beat Despatch.
SEDRU REGIONAL LEAGUE
OC VS KLIPFONTEIN – ALBANY SPORTS CLUB
OC took sweet revenge against Klipfontein in their encounter and also registered their first win in the competition, after two defeats in the hands of Rhodes and Swallows. Klipfontein narrowly pipped OC 33-31 on the very same ground in last year’s fixtures.
Regardless of the score, it was a very entertaining game from both sides as the home side took a commanding 24-3 lead at half time. OC scored all of their three tries in the first half whilst their goal kickers did a decent job with the boot to kept the score board ticking.
United came back nicely in the second half but couldn’t contained their rhythm as OC dominated matters but failed to registered an all-important bonus point in the process. The Makhanda side earned four league points with a comprehensive 30-11 win.
Try Scorers for OC: Anithemba Sandi, Siyathanda Wambi and Solomon Khanyise
The Grocott’s Mail/Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match went to OC’s flanker Bulelani Tambo, who had an excellent all round game.
NDLAMBE TIGERS VS ROSEBUDS UNITED – PORT ALFRED
Tigers registered their second win in the competition, after beating Kowie in their Port Alfred Derby recently. The home side pulled off an impressive performance but failed to collect maximum points, which is very crucial in the competition. Nevertheless, they were dominant especially up front with their powerful forwards, who put them constantly over the advantage line. Both teams were full of running, while Tigers dominated the rucks and mauls and Rosebuds had the upper hand in the lineouts. Rosebuds took a narrow 7-5 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Tigers dominating field positions and running good line breaks with their powerful forwards. The fitness clearly favoured Tigers, whilst Buds kept on trying with their speedy backs. Tigers put the final nail in the Rosebuds coffin with about 10 minutes left, with an intercept try by winger Ibe Ngogela, who ran the whole length of the field to score under the poles, making it 17-7 – the final score.
TRIES FOR TIGERS: Masibulele Masi, Ayanda Sineli and Ibe Ngogela
M-Dee Faku of Tigers earned the Grocott’s Mail/Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match for his outstanding all round dominant performance, especially with ball in hand.
RHODES VS KOWIE UNITED – GREAT FIELD
Log leaders Rhodes Stallions received their second bonus point win in the competition with a dominant 31-7 win over Kowie. They are now four points clear of Swallows on the overall log standings. The home side ran in five tries to the one consolation try by the visitors. Rhodes is still unbeaten after three rounds and in very good form of late. The Varsity Shield outfit were more clinical and dominant in the second half after a tight affair in the first half. Kowie suffered their third defeat in a row and is under pressure going forward. The Ndlambe side made to many enforced errors whilst the Makana side took full advantage and converted the pressure in to points.
In the end, the Stallions proved too strong for the United side and walked off the pitch with a full bag of points.
TRIES FOR RHODES: Jano Roux, Simelela Mbanzi, Tatenda, Kamdengwa, Jade Hermanus, Anga Peter.
The Grocott’s Mail/Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match went to Rhodes player and lock Anga Peter. The Stallion player had a storming game, both in the lineouts and on attack. He was also solid in defence and effective at the breakdowns, whilst scoring a try in the process.
EPRU GRAND CHALLENGE
DESPATCH VS TRYING STARS – DESPATCH
Trying Stars went to the top of the overall log standings of Group A after a 32-15 win over the struggling Despatch in their own backyard. Stars are now in 15 points and 4 points clear of second place Born Fighters who is on 11 points. In windy conditions on Saturday, the forwards laid the foundation for Stars by dominating the scrums and rucks, with Gregan Williams, Peter Oosthuizen and Ambrose Cannon leading the charge at the breakdowns. Stars took also a healthy 27-10 and securing the bonus point try in the first half, including a brilliant 80m solo try by veteran Kelvano King.
The dangerous Stars’ back line further took charge of matters in the second half. It was one way traffic for the Ndlambe side, as they ran with confidence and at every opportunity afforded to them, despite playing with 14-men. The visitors were more clinical on attack in the second half and scored from structured play with some entertaining tries. Despatch’s defences were tested throughout the game and were just not up for the task in that department. Despatch scored a few tries as a result of bad defensive errors by Stars, but it was all too little too late, as the visitors came back home with five maximum points in the bag and toppled Born Fighters at the top of the log.
Gregan Williams was awarded the Grocott’s Mail/Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match for Stars as he edged Kelvano King in a close contest for the award. The young man was very impressive both on attack and defence, whilst a constant headache for his opponents at the breakdowns.
BRUMBIES VS BORN FIGHTERS – OVAL SPORTS GROUND
The match was called off by the referee for alleged abuse against him when Brumbies were leading 12-7 in the first half.
EPRU ADAMS CUP
ST MARKS VS EASTERN PE – ALICEDALE
Eastern moved to the top of the overall log standings in the competition with a fine 24-10 win over hosts St Marks on Saturday, whilst Bulls moved down to 6th position. The scores were also narrow at halftime with the visitors taking a 10-5 lead.
St Marks’ fitness was tested, as it was evident that they ran out of steam in the second half. Full credit to Eastern who came to Alicedale with a positive mind set, and surprised the favourites in their own backyard. The Bulls, who are normally very strong and a dangerous side to beat at home, could only blame themselves for the defeat. Too many enforced errors by the home side and missed chances were the order of the day, while they also conceded soft tries as a result of their sloppy defence. Eastern forwards played as a unit and put the bigger forwards of St Marks, who normally dominate their opponents, under pressure. Frustrations crept in for the home side as they lost focus and conceded points in the process. In the end, it was Eastern that took their chances and went home to Gqeberha with four log points.
