By Chesley Daniels
Both Kowie United 1st XV and Old Collegians (OC) 1st XV recorded highly impressive wins over Rhodes and Klipfontein United respectively in their EPRU SEDRU League Competition fixtures on 29 July.
KLIPFONTEIN UNITED VS OLD COLLEGIANS – NEVER QUIT STADIUM
The all-awaited return second round fixture between the two sides delivered some exciting rugby at the Sunshine Coast on 29 July. The home side were up to the task and wanted to take sweet revenge against OC who beat them in the first round at the Albany Sports Club. The Makhanda side entered the den and came out victorious against a well-balanced United side. It was a beautiful game played in a harmonious atmosphere, as well as in a very good spirit.
OC controlled the game nicely with Sethu Pinini sharing his class again while the backline gave the some air through the game. The visitors also dominated in the scrums where they bullied the home side in that department. In the end, OC took their chances and walked off the park with an impressive 28-21 away win. OC are still in second position on the log after their win while Klipfontein moved down from 4th to 5th position on the overall log.
POINTS SCORERS FOR OC:
TRIES: Siyamthanda Wambi, Mpundi Mpothulo, Bubele Sonwabo
CONVERSIONS: Siyabonga Mahapi, Luvuyo Papu
PENALTIES: Luvuyo Papu (x3)
POINTS SCORERS FOR KLIPFONTEIN:
TRIES: Dylan Stone, Junior Miles, Braden Jacobs
CONVERSIONS: John Hutchinson (x3)
MAN OF THE MATCH
Scrumhalf Luvuyo Papu of OC earns the Grocott’s Mail Sport and Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match award. The nippy and gutsy scrumhalf was a real threat to the opposition and solid behind the deck. He scored eight points in the game via three penalties and a conversion, and his kicking was accurate. Papu was also dangerous with the ball in hand and gave quick and speedy services to his backs, handling the game nicely with his effective territory kicks. He helped his side to secure an impressive away win.
KOWIE UNITED VS RHODES – STATION HILL SPORTS GROUNDS
Rhodes resumed their fixtures in the league after Varsity commitments, and landed as firm favourites for this second-round clash. Rhodes beat Kowie 31-7 in the first round at Great Field but the hosts United had the same goal – to collect a full bag of points after the final whistle – which they achieved after a thrilling and titanic contest. The narrow 27-26 bonus point win put Kowie in 4th position with Rhodes still in 3rd on the log table.
It was a see-saw affair until the final whistle as both teams came hard at each other and rotated the scoreboard from time to time. Kowie United’s forwards’ pack played well as a unit against their bigger counterparts, while their tight five should be complimented for their marvellous efforts. Rhodes’ young and exciting backline provided some spark, especially their inside centre Simelela Mbanzi who was very strong with the ball in hand.
Andley Jones, the fly-half of Kowie, also controlled the game very well at the back with Sadanathi Mlauli, the powerful prop forward, putting in a huge performance up front. Both teams scored four bonus point tries in a game that saw eight tries being scored and more than 50 points on the day. The contest ended after the final whistle, with United crowned as worthy winners in the end.
POINTS SCORERS – KOWIE
TRIES: Duane Brown, Johnny Hilpert, Riaques Roberts, Andley Jones
CONVERSIONS: Duane Brown (x2)
PENALTIES: Duane Brown
RHODES
TRIES: Ethan Goliath, Lubobalo Tshongweni, Anga Bottomun, Sipho Puhlane
CONVERSIONS: Ethan Goliath (x3)
MAN OF THE MATCH
The powerful prop forward of Kowie United Sadanathi Mlauli was voted the Grocott’s Mail Sport and Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match. The big guy was very powerful with the ball in hand and strong in the scrums. He gained metres on attack and was solid with his big hits on the opponents. Mlauli was also involved in a try and was very effective at the breakdowns as well.
NDLAMBE TIGERS VS SWALLOWS – NONZAMO SPORTS GROUND
The home side Tigers failed to field a side against the log leaders Swallows and forfeited points. Swallows were awarded SOFT POINTS winning 28-0
