EL Police squeak through to final
THE fairytale of an unbeaten streak in the Super 12 club rugby tournament was crushed when East London Police beat Spring Rose 32-30 in a tightly contested game at the New Brighton Oval at the weekend.
East London Police, who have now booked themselves a spot in the final against Gardens, went into the game with guns blazing.
The team were not discouraged by their underdog title and brought the game to Spring Rose.
However, the home side fought back and it was a closely contested affair in the middle stages of the game as the away team drew first blood but failed to convert the try.
They were later awarded a penalty when Spring Rose flank Simphiwe January failed to roll away after a tackle.
The home side replied with a brilliant try from flyhalf Siya Nyalunga.
Discipline proved to be a problem as four players from both teams were sent to the sin-bin in the first half.
Spring Rose incurred a red card five minutes into the game and were forced to play defensively.
Spring Rose went into the halftime break leading 13-10.
It was do or die in the second half and both teams displayed attacking rugby from the onset.
Spring Rose looked to be gaining the upper hand as they scored two consecutive tries from speedy wing Sinethemba Skellem and flank Zingisa April.
Police capitalised on the oneman deficit and registered two brilliant tries thanks to wing Lonwabo Ntlama.
The game ended in a nail-biting battle for a win with the home side leading by two points.
The East London team then revved up the pressure and started camping in the Spring Rose territory.
East London Police aligned a brilliant set piece that saw them break the hearts of the home side as Ntlama scored with just two minutes left on the clock.
“We knew it was going to be tough against Spring Rose in the semis. The team put in their all and we are pleased with the win,” East London Police manager Tolly Mtyoko said.
Spring Rose manager Thulani Meki said: “The match was well fought and East London Police were the better team today.
“We missed four players in today’s encounter and that may have been our downfall.”
In the other semifinal at Uitenhage Central, current champions Gardens upstaged Progress 21-20 in another hard-fought game.