ON THE SPORTS SCENE High hopes for an explosive end
Rugby teams compete for spot in Super 12 contest
WITH two or three rounds left in the normal season, an explosive end is expected with teams gunning for the championship and a spot in the lucrative Eastern Cape Super 12 rugby competition.
A look at last weekend’s results reveals that after last week’s high of beating Cambridge, Old Collegians were dismantled by the Fort Hare Blues. Fort Hare annihilated their opponents 68-12 to leave them back in the dreaded relegation zone. With the win the students shot to fourth on the log with 26 points after winning five of their seven matches. OC is 11th with nine points from nine matches. Breakers left it late to snatch a 17-16 victory against Africans. While Africans were gunning for that first elusive win, Breakers toppled the King William’s Town side at the end of the game. Breakers climbed into Super 12 contention to number seven on the log on 17 points from their nine matches. Africans picked up yet another vital bonus point but remained at the bottom of the log on seven points. Old Selbornians looked like champions when they had a routine 36-17 win at Cambridge to remain the only team with a 100% winning ratio. Old Boys have a solid 39 points at the top, with Cambridge in the relegation zone on 10 points from seven matches.
The season’s surprise package, Walter Sisulu All Blacks, remain in the hunt after disposing of Winter Rose 38-29 to keep their unbeaten run after eight matches. The side have piled up 36 points with seven wins and one draw. Winter Rose have suffered two consecutive defeats and are eighth on the log with 15 points after winning three of eight matches. Police’s chances of a first Super League title were boosted after a 43-17 win at Buffs. The Bobbies are cemented at third on the standings with 35 points after winning seven of nine matches. Buffs are sixth with 18 points after winning four of nine. Berlin Tigers’ 12-3 win over Swallows has put the side in the top half. Tigers are fifth with 25 points while Swallows have dropped to ninth on 15 points. There are three challenges for the crown, with Old Boys in prime position. The other two contenders are WSU and Police. UFH have an outside chance. For now Old Selbornians seem to be firm favourites to capture a fourth consecutive title. The side has three matches left, all away from home with two of them against title contenders. They face Fort Hare, WSU and Africans. To their advantage they have a three point cushion at the top with a 316 points difference. WSU’s Sipho Metula has done wonders with the side. Three points adrift, the side still has to face OC away plus two home fixtures against Old Boys and Police. The Bobbies were left to rue their losses to Old Boys and (surprisingly) Winter Rose. They still have to play Cambridge at home, ending off with WSU away. Three teams are in the relegation zone. Africans are at the bottom after losing all eight matches. They can pull one out of the bag with home matches against Buffs, UFH and Old Boys. Old Collegians are hanging on by the skin of their teeth with nine points. They have two matches, against WSU at home and Swallows away. Cambridge has 10 points. They have matches against Police and Tigers away and Winter Rose at home. This weekend OC play their final home match against WSU. Breakers face Swallows in Mdantsane.