Harlequins get better of old rivals Park
PORT Elizabeth Harlequins upstaged their traditional rivals Park 40-33 in the Eastern Province Rugby Union Grand Challenge Cup at the Adcock Stadium at the weekend.
PE Harlequins made their intentions clear early when flank Masixole Screech and Erick Williams scored back-to-back tries.
Flyhalf Liam Bosman slotted both conversions.
Park replied with a beautiful try from eighth-man Ryno Haasbreek in a well-demonstrated rolling maul.
The home side, who are famous for running with the ball forward, used fullback Quinn Gawie to tear through Park’s defensive line with a brilliant try as he caught his own grubber kick and headed to the tryline with just the opposition’s fullback to beat for a third try.
Bosman slotted in the conversion to increase the gap between the teams.
Park’s bulky forwards worked fiercely together at the breakdowns to tire out the Harlequins players.
The home side utilised the pace of speedy wing Austin Fredericks and Gawie to cut through Park’s large forwards. This resulted in another two tries that set them ahead by 28 to 14 points at half time.
Whatever was said to the Park team in the locker rooms certainly hit home, as flyhalf Handre Snetler registered the first try in the second half within two minutes.
The home side held their own and stabilised to keep their defence. Terrible decision-making saw Park concede another try that opened the gap.
Two Park players received yellow cards, leaving a void in their defence. PE Harlequins capitalised and stretched their tally to 33 points, while Park remained steady on 23 points with five minutes to play.
Harlequins flank Ashley Stick incurred a terrible ankle injury during a maul that could put him out for three weeks.
Harlequins closed the gap to just seven points with a try from fullback Stephen Zeele.
The game was stopped for five minutes as tempers started to flare among fans and coaching staff. The match officials tamed the situation and continued play.
PE Harlequins’ fullback sealed the game with a beautiful try from an interplay between him and fast wing Fredericks. Results from matches: Windvogel United 21 Gardens 23 Grahamstown Brumbies 16 Trying Stars 15 Progress 64 Crusaders 10 Star of Hope 17 Suburbans 16 Despatch 40 Gelvan Wallabies 6 NMMU 44 Kruisfontein 3 Born Fighters 16 Central 12 Patensie Barbarians 26 Spring Rose 19 PE Harlequins 40 Park 33 African Bombers 14 South African Police Service 31