Winning Police side starve WSU of ball
NOT even a haka from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) supporters could prevent East London Police from continuing with their dominance over the students at the weekend.
The rampant Police ran in four tries to thump the All Blacks 25-3 in a game of two halves of the Eastern Cape Super 12 club rugby game at Potsdam campus on Saturday.
The hosts were looking for their first victory against the cops but the service men taught the students a lesson with an easy win.
It was WSU that started the brightest and drew first blood in the Group B encounter through flyhalf Bongani Zwane’s boot in the third minute.
The cops did not panic and stuck to their game plan of starving the hosts of the ball.
They were finally rewarded for their ball possession when winger Lonwabo Ntlama dotted down for an unconverted try after good interplay from the forwards.
Zwane failed to restore the All Blacks’ lead when he missed two penalties in the 18th and 32nd minutes respectively.
Police flyhalf Skangele Mateze slotted in a penalty to make it 8-3 at halftime.
The cops came back more determined in the second stanza and dominated in line outs, scrum and rucks.
WSU failed to take advantage when Police hooker Siseko Kepe was sent to the sin bin for dangerous play in the 45th minute.
Instead of kicking, the students opted to attempt running the ball from their 22m line.
They were made to pay when centre Eric Coates scored an unconverted try.
After that it was all Police as they camped deep inside WSU’s territory.
Police, who campaigned in the Cell C Community Cup last season, showed their experience as they played more as a team and stretched the normally good students wide.
Police flanker and captain Bonga Ntunjana led from the front, carrying the ball well and gaining territory.
Replacement hooker Cresswell Speelman also carried the ball over the advantage line a couple of times.
Inside centre Lithabile Ngwadleka nailed the last nail in the WSU coffin with two late tries.
Mateze converted one.
Police coach Alistair Alexander said he was happy with the results after they lost against Buffaloes last weekend.
“We were mentally and physically more prepared.
“We tried to keep the ball away from them because the students like to run with the ball.
“Last week we were too slow at the rucks which we improved on today,” he said.
“We still need to work on our scrums. Fitness levels are not yet there but I’m happy with the win.”
His WSU counterpart Andile Ndondose was at a loss for words.
“Things didn’t go according to plan. The point of breakdown cost us because we were too slow.
“We ended up playing to their strengths instead of playing our running rugby.
“We will go back to the drawing board and rectify our mistakes ahead of our game against Buffs,” the visibly disappointed coach said.
It was a hard day at the office for all Border Rugby games as they all lost. Results: Group A: Cambridge 10 Park 27; Gardens 55 Breakers 5.
Group B: Despatch 27 Port Elizabeth Harlequins 37; WSU 3 EL Police 25; Buffs 3 Progress 17.