Dogged Bulldogs hold off late charge by EP
The Border Bulldogs held their nerve to deservedly beat the Eastern Province Kings 20-17 (half time 15-5) in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge fixture at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Both sides came into the match needing a victory to maintain their quest for the playoff berths.
Clashes between the provincial neighbours have traditionally been hard-fought affairs and Saturday’s encounter was no different.
It was a physical battle up front, but when presented with the space to run, both sides did so with determination.
Hooker Gregory Jackson got the scoreboard going for the Kings when he scored from a powerful driving maul within two minutes of the start.
However, Border struck back quickly and scored two tries.
The first came from fullback Ntabeni Dukisa and the second through an intercept try by speedy right wing Michael Makase.
Oliver Zono slotted one of the conversions and then added a penalty for Border to lead 15-5 after 14 minutes.
The score remained the same until half time.
It was only in the 55th minute that the Kings managed to crack open Border’s lines, with scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer crashing over. Replacement flyhalf Garrick Mattheus kicked the conversion to narrow the gap to 15-12.
But five minutes later Border got in for their third try as replacement Yanga Xakalashe pounced on a loose ball over the tryline.
The home team were intent on making sure of a tight finish and with seven minutes remaining, flank Brandon Brown took advantage of some sustained pressure to score.
At 20-17, it was about who wanted it more. The Kings came hard at the visitors but Border managed to hold on for a satisfying away win.
Scorers:
EP – Tries: Gregory Jackson, Stefan Ungerer, Brandon Brown; Conversion: Garrick Mattheus Border – Tries: Ntabeni Dukisa, Michael Makase, Yanga Xakalashe; Conversion: Oliver Zono; Penalty: Zono
DIVAN Nel kicked five penalties to help the Boland Cavaliers to a narrow 15-8 (half time 9-5) victory over the SWD Eagles in a SuperSport Rugby Challenge match at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.
Nel helped his team move off the foot of the South Section table and secure a first victory of the season for Boland after three matches, leaving the Eagles rooted to the bottom of the log.
The fullback slotted his five penalties in reply to a solitary try from Eagles centre John Welthagen and a penalty by his opposite number, Leighton Eksteen.
It was a dour encounter at a cool and breezy Outeniqua Park, with the home side struggling to impose themselves.
Both sides had failed to pick up a victory in the opening two rounds and the win lifted Boland above the Eagles and the EP Kings.
The Eagles will next play Western Province this Friday while Boland travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.