Elephants still seek elusive victory after Eagles swoop to conquer

THE SWD Eagles swooped late to repel a determined charge by the EP Elephants in a lively SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The outcome was in the balance right up until the final few minutes, before the Eagles struck at the death with a try from Tyler Fisher and a long-range penalty from Divan Nel to earn a 34-20 win.

It is back to the drawing board for EP, who had been bidding to get back on the winning track after slumping to a heavy defeat to Western Province in their opening game.

The Elephants will be disappointed that they did not capitalise on the two yellow cards that reduced the Eagles to 14 men for 20 minutes of the clash.

However, it was the Elephants who drew first blood after six minutes when centre Nkululeko Marwana broke free of the Eagles’ defence to set up Rowan Gouws for a try.

After 10 minutes, the Eagles were reduced to 14 men when Nicolaas Immelman was yellow-carded for dangerous play by referee Quinton Immelman.

Seeking to take advantage, the Elephants went on the offensive, but were held at bay by some determined Eagles defensive play.

EP’s endeavours eventually reaped reward when flyhalf Henrique Olivier nailed a penalty in the 22nd minute to put the Elephants 8-0 ahead.

The Eagles, with scrumhalf Dillin Snell always keen to put his team on the front foot, posed problems for the EP defence.

The Eagles enjoyed territorial advantage as the first half wore on, and they breached the EP defence in the 31st minute when wing Marlo Wiech crashed over the tryline.

Eagles fullback Leighton Eksteen added the extras to reduce EP’s lead to 8-7.

With the Elephants squandering chances with wayward tactical kicking, the visitors found themselves in front with a narrow 14-8 lead at the break.

But it was the home team who came out of the starting blocks quicker in the second half with tries from hooker Allandre van Rooyen and replacement prop Dewald Barnard.

In their fast and furious start to the second half, the Eagles scored a third try when Jacques Vermaak went over after a powerful line-out drive.

The visitors were scenting blood, and scored a fourth try when Fisher brushed aside the EP defence for his first pf two tries to put the Eagles 2420 ahead after 60 minutes.

The Elephants next have a chance to chalk up a first win when they face the Border Bulldogs on May 11 in East London.