Progress beat OC to advance to play-offs
After a lengthy on-and-off league season, Progress have finally advanced as the Chris Hani District Rugby Union (CHDRU) winners after beating rivals Old Collegians (OC) 1614 in a decider played at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday.
The win comes after the initial match played on July 30 was challenged by OC, which resulted in an off-field battle that culminated in a rematch.
Progress topped the standings on 45 points, with Collegians just falling short on 44 points.
The battle for supremacy was intense, with both teams only recording one defeat, against each other, in a rather tight contest.
Alarm bells should ring for the ailing CHDRU after most teams abandoned their league campaign midway through the season, leaving only Progress, OC and WSU Pythons to fight it out.
Progress will have another bite at the cherry for a place in the Border Premier League when they will be Chris Hani district representatives in the League play-offs.
They will face stiff competition from five other regions in teams representing Alfred Nzo’s Zamubuhle Development Club, Komga United from Amathole, BCM’s Young Leopards, Ngcele United from Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo’s Mganduli Sharks.
The play-offs will be played tomorrow and Sunday at Police Park in East London. Room for error will be minimum as a knock-out format will be in play.
Only one spot is available in the Premier League.
Shining Stars is the only Komani representative in the Premier League, with Breakers playing in the top Super League.
❝ They will face stiff competition from five other regions