Eagles pip Bulldogs in Outeniqua Park showdown
It was a heartbreaking night for the Border Bulldogs as they slipped to a 18-17 defeat against the South Western District Eagles in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge match at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.
The Bulldogs have struggled lately, suffering some heavy defeats in their past three matches, the last two of which were on the road. They went into the Eagles match low on confidence and form.
However, in a scrappy match the Bulldogs stood up and were counted, almost claiming the win after taking a 17-8 lead early in the second half, before going behind with just seven minutes left. They still had a chance to reclaim the lead two minutes later, but it was not to be.
In the match it was the home side who took an early lead as flyhalf Divan Nel slotted a 12th minute penalty.
However the Bulldogs came storming back in the final 10 minutes of the half, after flyhalf Aphiwe Stemele missed a 31stminute drop goal attempt, flank Onke Dubase crashed over for a try in the 33rd minute, with Stemele’s extras making it 7-3.
On the stroke of half-time Stemele then added a penalty to take a 10-3 lead into the break.
The hosts then got off to a fast start in the second half as eighthman and captain Wayne Wildschut crashed over in the 44th minute for an unconverted score, only for the Bulldogs to hit back five minutes later and take the lead 17-8 as right wing Siphosenkosi Nofemele went over and Stemele slotted the conversion.
Despite former Bulldogs prop Lwando Mabenge then being yellow carded soon after coming on for the Eagles and reducing them to 14 men, the home side upped the ante and scored a converted try in the 65th minute to make it a twopoint game.
That allowed replacement back Gerhard Nortier to give them the lead in the 73rd minute after the Bulldogs were punished with a yellow card to centre Sonwabiso Mqalo. Nortier slotted the resulting penalty to put them 18-17 up.
Stemele would then have one last shot at giving the Bulldogs the win with a penalty chance in the 75th minute, but was unfortunately unsuccessful.
The effort should be a positive for the Bulldogs, despite the result, as they proved that they can still be competitive.
It was also a timely return to form after suffering massive defeats of 52-0 against the Boland Cavaliers, 52-3 against the Eastern Province Elephants and 82-24 against the Sharks in their last three outings.
So to concede just two tries against the Eagles away from home and to push them the whole way should give the side a lift, heading into their last SuperSport Rugby Challenge game of the season, away against the Free State XV this coming weekend.