Big survival battle Breakers victory moves them closer to avoiding relegation
BREAKERS took one step closer to safety with a hard fought 19-16 win over Cambridge at Mlungisi Stadium last week. The win took Breakers one log position up to 10th on the log on 10 points, in the process surpassing both Africans and Berlin Tigers.
They are tied with Winter Rose also with 10 points. More importantly both Breakers and Winter Rose have played one less match then both Africans and Berlin Tigers which have played eight matches each.
The race to avoid relegation is intensifying with only three to four matches left in the normal season.
Breakers have positioned themselves better. The advantage is to the Mlungisi side as they face the winless Berlin Tigers this week at home.
Breakers can further propel Tigers deeper into danger and at the same time have breathing space with a win.
Tigers have lost all eight matches thus far and are at the bottom of the log with five points. Africans have nine points but have suffered heavy defeats of late. Winter Rose still have two points to play in their draw against Swallows. Breakers can not rest on their laurels because the game in hand is against Fort Hare Blues away in Alice. Breakers still have to play WSU and Winter Rose in their last two matches, both away from home.
Swallows surprised all as they defeated Old Selbornians 15-5.
It was the defending champions’ first loss in more than two years. The loss snatched Old Boys unbeaten streak and dropped them to second place on the log with 32 points. Swallows remain perfectly positioned in fourth place on 25 points. The loss of Old Boys opened the door for both Police and Walter Sisulu University All Blacks to earn a first ever championship medal. Police did not disappoint and took full advantage of the lifeline.
They hammered Africans 72-0 away from home. That win propelled them to pole position on 35 points. In the meantime, All Blacks did not disappoint as they defeated Buffs 37-15 to go level on points with Old Boys on third place with 32 points. Africans who started the season brightly, is starting to be the whipping boys in the league of late. Their last four matches yielded heavy defeats. First a 64 drub- bing by WSU at home, which was followed by a 64-17 hiding by Swallows.
It got worse with a 90-6 demolition job by Old Boys and last weekend’s 72-0 smash and grab by Police. Can they pull of another miracle like last year when all seemed doomed for the King William’s Town side?
They still have to play Fort Hare away, Ocean Sweepers at home and finish off with Cambridge.
Crucial matches lie ahead for the championship winning sides. The first will be the midweek clash between Old Boys and WSU followed by Old Boys v Police on July 16. The clash between UFH and against Swallows on July 16 and Police against Fort Hare on the July 30 will be just as crucial.
It is anybody’s title between Police, Old Boys and WSU.
In the Premier League, Shining Stars suffered a 20-5 loss against Wallabies away in Stutterheim. Stars remain in ninth with eight points. Old Collegians had a bye last weekend. Tomorrow sees OC travel to East London to lock horns with Gonubie Sea Birds while Shining Stars have a bye.