Bulldogs look to their next big challenge against the Leopards

THE Border Bulldogs will be looking to build on their first win of this year’s Currie Cup First Division competition as they prepare to host the Leopards this coming weekend at the BCM Stadium.

The Bulldogs stormed to a powerful 40-24 victory after taking a 14-7 lead into the halftime break during the match played at the WJ de Wet Stadium in Despatch.

“I am very happy that the guys managed to get their first win of the competition,” said Bulldogs coach David Dobela.

“EP is never easy away from home and they were a big threat during the first half, which was also very scrappy, but the boys picked it up in the second, they played well and we comfortably won in the end.”

Border will hope that the win will go a way to changing their fortunes after they had started this year’s First Division campaign with three losses in a row.

“I am hoping that this is a turning point for us, I think getting that win will have made the players hungrier for success and hopefully that will spur them on to more good results,” admitted Dobela.

They will however face a massive test this weekend when they take on the high-flying Leopards, who after playing to a surprise draw in their first game of the competition, have since marched to three big wins, including this past weekend where they thrashed the Welwitschias 78- 29.

“The Leopards are riding high at the moment, they got a big win over the Welwitschias and they will be very confident. We have a few things to work on over the week to make sure we are ready.

“I think we need to practice on our setpieces, especially the scrums and the lineouts, we really need to work on those over this week and make sure that by the time we play this weekend we are ready.

“I think if we can keep hold of the ball and win the setpiece battle we will have a chance against them.”

The Bulldogs currently sit second last on the First Division table and if they are to have any chance of making it into the competition semifinals they will have to win at least two of their next three games and hope results go their way.

Although the Leopards are a daunting opposition, a good result against them could put the Bulldogs back in the playoff mix.

“I think it is good to play strong teams like this, to be the best you have to beat the best and the only way to see how you are improving as a team is to test yourself against the top teams and the Leopards is one of them,” said Dobela.

“The guys have some good momentum and confidence now after picking up a win, so this is the perfect time to play them and we will be up for it.”

The Bulldogs and Leopards match kicks off at the BCM Stadium at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.