EL Police makes history with record-equalling Super 14 win
EL Police rose to the top echelons of Super 14 Rugby after clinching a second consecutive title by defeating Kruisfontein United 16-10 in a titanic final played at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
The Bobbies and Kruisfontein entered the encounter on the back of unbeaten runs and at loggerheads for a second consecutive final. The rivalry dated back to last year’s final that produced one of the tournament’s most iconic spectacles in Humansdorp in front of a packed crowd.
This time the victors were able to seize a fourth title, equalling Gardens’ record.
The final was marred by ugly scenes as insults and provocative actions flew at the final whistle, with Kruisfontein clearly unhappy at the officiating, citing bias and favouritism against their side.
The team boycotted the postmatch presentation, putting referee Lutho Matomela into the spotlight, rather than the Bobbies celebrating their record-breaking victory.
On the field of play, it was a grinding fight to the final whistle. The exchanges were brutal, with the breakdowns the focal point.
The first points came in the seventh minute when Bobbies’ flyhalf Sivakele Ulana slotted a penalty for Police to take a 3-0 lead.
After sustained pressure which pinned them in their half, Kruisfontein finally managed to move up the field into the opposition half. They made it count with some enterprising play and were rewarded a penalty in the ninth minute, which flyhalf Jayron Draghoender calmy slotted over to bring the scores level at 3-3.
Police upped the tempo but could not breached a stubborn and well marshalled Kruisfontein defence. In their eagerness, Police squandered good scoring opportunities.
The lead changed in the 11th minute, when Draghoender received his marching orders for a foul, leaving his team with 14 players.
It took until the 26th minute, with Kruisfontein on the attack, when Bobbies winger Simthembile Ntleki intercepted and sprinted the length of the field to score a converted try.
Draghoender missed a penalty in the 30th minute before the halftime interval, with Police ahead 10-3.
The second half was as tight as the first, with both teams giving it their all. The first scoring opportunity came after Kruisfontein United centre Dowanne Cornelius received the yellow card for a knock-down. Ulana made no mistake from the tee to put Police 13-3 up.
Kruisfontein burst into action as fullback Herschelle Stigling intercepted to score a brilliant converted try to bring the scores within three points at 13-10.
Ulana had the final say when he nailed a long-range penalty for Police to take a 16-10 lead.
Police have now become the first Border team to win the title back-toback. They have gone two years and 16 matches unbeaten.
Bobbies kept their cool and discipline amid the fracas at the final whistle and ultimately the celebrations went on as they lifted the Super 14 trophy for a record fourth time.