EP must remain calm in heat of battle, says Williams
EP must remain calm in the heat of battle when they face the Falcons in a make-or-break Currie Cup First Division clash in Kempton Park on Saturday, Elephants co-captain Diego Williams said.
After defeating Boland, EP must beat the Falcons at the Barnard Stadium if they want to qualify for the First Division final on June 23.
After the heartache of missing out on promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division last season, EP are well-positioned to win silverware.
After Saturday’s victory, EP are second on the First Division table with 32 points from nine matches.
It leaves them one point behind the leaders, the SWD Eagles, who have also played nine matches.*
There are no semifinals this year and it has been decided the top two teams on the log will meet in the final at a venue that has still to be decided.
“Against Boland, I think we ticked most of the boxes in rainy conditions,” Williams said.
“We just need to keep our composure and stay calm in every situation and look after our ball against the Falcons.
“At times, we tend to panic whenever we are under the pump.
“EP must remain focused and look after our ball against the Falcons when we are on the attack.
“This will be a tough and direct encounter and EP need to work hard and fight for one another for the full 80 minutes.
“We stuck to our plan to play a kicking game and then apply pressure against Boland.
“This forced Boland to make mistakes and they gave away kickable penalties which enabled us to keep the scoreboard ticking during the whole game,” Williams said.
“Though I was happy with the overall EP performance we must just cut down on making silly mistakes which allows teams to get back into the game.
“EP allowed Boland to get back into the game with two easy tries because of our mistakes.
“One was a defensive error and the other a missed pass.
“We also had two players leave the field because of yellow cards, but we kept on fighting and working hard and knowing in the back of our heads that we need this win.
“EP were mentally and physically prepared for the Boland game and I think we can beat the Falcons in their own backyard and qualify for the final.
“We are a really good side with our heads and minds in the right space.
“EP do not expect the Falcons to change anything about their game plan.
“They want to take us on up front with their big forwards and try to dominate and then bring their backs into the games.
“So it will be a direct fight up front among the forwards.
“EP have a good group of seniors who work together and that makes things easier on and off the field.”
The outcome of the Boland game hung in the balance for long periods and EP enjoyed a narrow 13-10 advantage at the halftime break.
EPs points came from a try by Jaden Bantom and flyhalf Masixole Banda contributed 20 points to the Elephants winning tally with six penalties and a conversion. First Division log (with matches played): SWD Eagles 33 (9), EP Elephants 32 (9), Boland Cavaliers 28 (8), Falcons 28 (8), Leopards 12 (8), Border Bulldogs 2 (8).
EP’s remaining fixtures: May 20: Falcons (away), May 27: San Clemente Rhinos (away), June 3: Namibian Welwitchias (away).