Leopards, Cavaliers lead way in Currie Cup qualifiers
THE Leopards and Boland Cavaliers took an early lead in the Absa Currie Cup qualifier this weekend as they both secured bonus-point victories in the opening round.
The qualifier features seven teams battling it out for the last spot in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division. The remaining six teams participate in the Absa Currie Cup First Division.
The Leopards defeated the SWD Eagles 45-17 at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday thanks to an impressive six tries, while the Boland Cavaliers were guaranteed of their bonus-point for four tries in the first half against the Griffons on Saturday, which set them up for a 32-22 victory in Malmesbury.
In the other match, the Border Bulldogs surprised the Griquas with a 20-13 victory at the BCM stadium in East London following a closely contested first half.
The Valke, meanwhile, had a bye.
The Leopards were in fine form in their clash against the SWD Eagles, despite the hosts taking an early 10-3 lead in the opening eight minutes.
The Potchefstroom side found their rhythm in the second quar- ter and scored two tries compliments of prop Johan Smith and hooker Wian Fourie to take a 17-10 half-time lead.
They continued to build on this form in the second half and took control of proceedings, setting up left wing Adri Jacobs for a hat-trick.
Right wing Sergio Torrens added another try to increase their tally to six for the match.
The SWD Eagles were only able to add one more try after the break, which forced them to settle for a 45-17 defeat.
A strong second-half surge by Border, in which they scored three second-half tries, allowed them to register a morale-boosting victory against last year’s Absa Currie Cup Premier Division side ORC Griquas at the BCM Stadium in East London.
The teams managed a penalty a side for a 3-3 half-time score. The Kimberley side had the first say after the break with a converted try by Stephan Kotze.
But Border took control by retaining possession, which earned them three tries, and limited ORC Griquas to only a penalty in the second half. The penalty, however, secured them a valuable bonus point.