Gardens end Park’s victorious run
GARDENS put a stop to Park Rugby Club’s unbeaten run in the Eastern Cape Super tournament by beating them 23-14 at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Uitenhage at the weekend. Park had been on a four-match unbeaten run. It was a physical encounter on Saturday in which both sides gave their best in the set pieces and breakdowns.
But Park could not handle the calculated attack of Gardens.
Their forwards could not hold out the Gardens pack and they lost the ball easily in the scrums. They were also clumsy in the lineouts.
Park were, however, the better team in the opening minutes of the game – and scored two tries in quick succession. From then on, however, matters went downhill. The Uitenhage outfit replied with a beautiful try that boosted their morale.
In brilliant kicking form, flyhalf Masixole Screech slotted in three penalties with ease.
From then it was one-way traffic for Gardens, and they bullied the visitors in their half.
Frustration and ill-discipline started building up in Park’s camp – and they incurred two more penalties.
Screech made sure in burying Park with his accurate boot.
The Uitenhage side were still second on the Pool A log and will need to maintain the momentum if they harbour any hopes of retaining the Super 12 title.
The results were: