Bonus point win for Brumbies in Grand Challenge

The start and opening round of the all-awaited Eastern Province Rugby Union (Epru) SCORE Grand Challenge competition saw Grahamstown Brumbies Rugby Club being the only Sedru team to record a win.

Four Sedru clubs are involved and compete in the Epru Grand Challenge competitions. Trying Stars and Grahamstown Brumbies compete in the elite Top 12, while Lily White and St Marks Alicedale take part in the Bottom 12 competition.

A top rugby club in Grahamstown, the Brumbies took on Joubertina in a packed Rhodes Great Field on Saturday. Brumbies were forced to make wholesale changes to their 23 players due to the unavailability of most of the 1st XV players.

The first half was a rather scrappy one as numerous scoring opportunities went begging for the home side, who failed to capitalise when points were on offer. Brumbies, without their usual front row, still proved their dominance in the scrums and had the upper hand in that department throughout the game. Brumbies’ centre, Ethan Daniels, scored two first half tries while United also dotted twice in the first half as Brumbies took a narrow 12-10 lead into halftime break.

Brumbies made a few changes in the second half but still were not at their best with numerous errors, with their kicking at the poles continuing to disappoint. The visitors’ scrum woes continued as Brumbies brought on their bigger forwards, who continued to win scrum penalties.

The home side registered three more tries in the second half including a penalty try, a reward for their dominant scrum. The visitors failed to score any points in the second half whilst their struggling scrum resulted in two yellow cards for repeated infringements.

In the end, Brumbies recorded a 31-10 bonus point win and should be satisfied to kick off the competition with maximum points. But there is a lot of work that lies ahead when they take on Star of Hope on Saturday in their next match.

Try scorers for Brumbies: Ethan Daniels (X2), Cole Kirkwood, JD Hermanus, penalty try

Stars travelled to Kariega to take on the 2023 Grand Challenge champs in Gardens. The hosts made their intentions clear at home and played with more urgency in the quest to prove a point to the visitors. Stars made numerous silly errors as the home side piled the pressure on them throughout the game. The top team in Sedru looked static in their approach and couldn’t find any decent momentum to register regular points on the board. Gardens took their chances and were very aggressive and clinical in their approach.

The hosts played as a team and scored points on the board when it mattered, grabbing their opportunities with both hands. It was just not Stars’ day and they never looked like the dangerous team that competed in the Super 14 and reached the semifinals.

In the end, full credit to Gardens for their composure and direct approach that clinched them a well-deserved 22-8 win.

The team from Kleinskool in Gqeberha played host to St Marks from Sedru in their Bottom 12 fixture. Suburban were relegated from the Middle 12, where they competed last year, and want to make inroads this season.

St Marks were not at their best and showed rustiness, while their fitness also played a role in their performance. Nevertheless, Burbies had other ideas and took the chances afforded to them. Bulls’ play improved in the second half, but they were unlucky not to score more points.

Suburban ended up too strong and ran out 27-19 winners.

1. Grahamstown Brumbies – (5)

2. Progress – (5)

3. Kruisfontein United – (5)

4. PE Harlequins – (4)

5. Gardens – (4)

6. Star of Hope – (2)

7. United Barbarians – (1)

8. Trying Stars – (0)

9. Despatch Oostelikes – (0)

10. Joubertina United – (0)

11. Park – (0)

12. NMU Madibaz – (0)

1. PE Eastern – (5)

2. Adelaide Rangers – (5)

3. Middelburg Eagles – (5)

4. Suburban – (5)

5. Orlando Eagles – (4)

6. Born Fighters – (4)

7. Helenvale United – (1)

8. St Marks Alicedale – (0)

9. Kareedouw Tigers – (0)

10. Aberdeen – (0)

11. Windvogel – (0)

12. Lily White – (0)