Furious action expected in Grand Challenge
● Park and Trying Stars seek supremacy in club rugby dogfight
Hotly contested clashes are expected in the EPRU Grand Challenge club rugby competition when Trying Stars and Park bid to maintain their dominance in Group C on Saturday.
Trying Stars are top of the group with 24 points while unbeaten Park are just two points behind with the advantage of a game in hand in what is proving to be a dogfight for supremacy.
Last week, Park threw the group wide open when they scored a narrow 12-10 win over Trying Stars in Alexandria in a clash between two unbeaten teams.
Park will be bidding to keep the pressure on Trying Stars when they host third-placed Brumbies in what promises to be an enthralling encounter at Londt Park.
If Park manage to win in front of their home fans, it will be sixth on the spin and mark them as serious contenders for Grand Challenge honours.
With Park hot on their heels, Trying Stars cannot afford to slip up when they face a combative Despatch outfit.
In the only other Group C clash, it will be a battle of the basement dwellers when bottom of the log Kwaru host fellow strugglers Lily White.
Unbeaten Group A log leaders Progress can make it six wins in a row if they can withstand what is expected to be a sustained assault from Central in a match scheduled for the Central Field in Kariega.
So far Progress have proved to be unstoppable and it will require something special from Central if they want to burst the home team’s bubble.
After a slow start to their campaign, Police will be desperate to get back on the winning track when they travel to face bottom of the log Wallabies, who are pointless after four outings.
Police, with eight points to their name, have won only one of five matches and lie fifth in the Group A standings.
Unbeaten Group B log leaders Jeffreys Bay can cement their position at the top of the standings when they travel to face Orlando Eagles.
Last week, Jeffreys Bay registered a narrow 10-6 win over United Barbarians while Orlando Eagles were beaten 29-5 by Harlequins.
Second-placed Harlequins, who are handily tucked in behind Jeffreys Bay, can expect a tough match when they travel to face Hankey Villagers.
In a bottom of the table duel, an arm wrestle is expected when Spring Rose and Windvogel fight for elusive log points.
A fascinating battle is on the cards when third-placed United Barbarians host Joubertina.
Group D log leaders Gardens have an opportunity to extend their winning streak to six matches when they face bottom of the log African Bombers.
After losing to the Madibaz last week, second-placed Kruisfontein have an opportunity to make amends when they travel to face Missionvale in another Group D clash.
EP officials said the games that were postponed on April 30 to allow clubs to watch the EP Elephants would now be played on May 21.
Saturday’s fixtures (all 3.30pm kickoffs):
Group A: Aberdeen v Suburban, Progress v Central, Star of Hope v Kirkwood, Wallabies v Police.
Group B: United Barbarians v Joubertina, Spring Rose v Windvogel, Orlando Eagles v Jeffreys Bay, Hankey Villagers v Harlequins.
Group C: Despatch v Trying Stars, Park v Brumbies, Kwaru v Lily White, Born Fighters v Despatch Oostelikes.
Group D: Motherwell v St Marks, NMU Madibaz v Adelaide Rangers, Missionvale v Kruisfontein United, African Bombers v Gardens.
Logs (with matches played in brackets):
Group A: Progress 24 (5), Kirkwood 23 (5), Star of Hope 13 (5), Central 12 (5), Police 8 (5), Suburban 6 (4), Aberdeen 5 (5), Wallabies 0 (4).
Group B: Jeffreys Bay 24 (5), Harlequins 22 (5), United Barbarians 18 (5), Hankey Villagers 13 (6), Orlando Eagles 13 (6), Joubertina 12 (5), Spring Rose 4 (5), Windvogel 1 (5).
Group C: Trying Stars 24 (6), Park 22 (5), Brumbies 20 (6), Despatch Oostelikes 16 (5), Despatch 14 (5), Born Fighters 6 (5), Lily White 2 (5), Kwaru 0 (5).
Group D: Gardens 23 (5), Kruisfontein United 21 (6), Adelaide Rangers 13 (6), Missionvale 11 (4), Mothwerwell 10 (4), St Marks 9 (5), NMU Madibaz 5 (2), African Bombers 1 (4).