Rugby feast for Station Hill fans

20 round-robin clashes entertain

It was a day of speed, power and straight-up gees as 10 clubs vied to clinch the Kowie 10s Tournament title at Station Hill in Port Alfred.

Brumbies were declared the winners, with Easterns runners-up in the inaugural Makana-Ndlambe event hosted by the South Eastern District Rugby Union (Sedru).

The clubs participated in two groups of five, in no fewer than 20 round robin games.

The climax of the day saw two hardfought semifinal clashes.

In Group A, Makana powerhouse Brumbies took on Ndlambe-based Trying Stars. Brumbies won 14-5.

In Group B, Eastern (Makana) edged Klipfontein (Ndlambe) by 12-10.

But with Brumbies and Eastern set for the final, poor light saw the results decided by three drop goals each, and Brumbies took the win.

The 10s tournament formed part of Sedru’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sedru chairperson Deon Hilpert said it was also aimed at strengthening links between Makana and Ndlambe rugby clubs and celebrating that the union was within the Makana and Ndlambe municipal areas.

Partnering with Sedru to ensure the event’s success were the department of sport, recreation, arts & culture, Ndlambe Municipality and the Eastern Province Rugby Union.

“We are planning to host this in

Ndlambe on an annual basis and to grow it into one of the biggest 10s tournaments in the country,” Hilpert told Talk of the Town.

“Sedru is the cradle of black rugby with four clubs over 100 years old and

Port Alfred is a preferred holiday destination on the Sunshine Coast.

“With support from our partners of yesterday’s event and our passionate supporters we can realise the dream of having our region as a preferred sports

tourism destination,” said Hilpert. “The executive wish to thank our clubs and supporters, department of sport, recreation, arts & culture, EP Rugby Union, our Local Organising Committee, The Ndlambe Rugby

Structure and Ndlambe Municipality for a wonderful event,” Hilpert said.

He also thanked the five referees who did duty – Lunga Hlangana, Zukile Pikoli, Nqaba Lamani, Anele Gacula and Donovan Thomas.

Picture: SUE MACLENNAN POWER MOVE: Brumbies’ Nicklon Williams pushes through a strong Klipfontein defence, with Antonio Mahapi in support, during the Kowie 10s Tournament at Station Hill in Port Alfred on Saturday October 29. Brumbies won the tournament, with Eastern the runners up.