EP Kings Slipping to Boland in the Bonus Points Stakes MyZA

The EP Kings had to work hard against neighbours Border Bulldogs but in the end had too much on the attack as they won by 51-36 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The defending Absa Currie Cup First Division champions knuckled down in the final 20 minutes after the Bulldogs fought back early in the second half to trial by only 31-29 at the hour mark.

But replacement flyhalf George Whitehead slotted two penalty goals, while right wing Norman Nelson and loosehead prop Jaco Engels crashed over for the home team to put daylight between them and Border.

Engles, who used to play center at school, went on a dazzling 45 metre run that had the crowd on it’s feet screaming in excitement before he crashed over for his try.

Ultimately, handling errors and turnovers almost cost the EP Kings in a performance they would be less than satisfied about, especially on defence, where they conceded five tries.

Only two points separate the Eastern Province Kings and Boland.

The Longhair and I were at the game on Friday to do a blow by blow Live Blog which can be found on the Live Events page – scroll down and replay the EP Kings vs Border Live Blog on the Completed Events tab.

At Boland Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon, the Regent Boland Cavaliers scored four tries in the first 30 minutes against the Tasol Solar Griffons in an Absa Currie Cup First Division match they won comfortably 47-29.

Boland lock Ligtoring Landman, who played for the Platinum Leopards earlier in his career, scored two tries in the first 10 minutes as the Cavaliers raced to a commanding lead against the Griffons. It was their sixth victory of the season as they stayed in touch with the EP Kings at the top of the log.

The Cavaliers scored a total of five tries, but it was flyhalf Elgar Watts who stole the show with a personal contribution of 27 points.

EP Kings 51 (26) Border Bulldogs 36 (12)

EP Kings – Tries: Luke Watson (2), Marcello Sampson, Louis Strydom, Danie Faasen, Norman Nelson, Jaco Engels. Conversions: Strydom (3), George Whitehead (2). Penalties: Whitehead (2).
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Vuyo Mboto (2), Lubabalo Mzwakali (2), Chumani Booi. Conversions: Dale Sabbagh (3), Ntabeni Dukisa. Penalty: Sabbagh.

Regent Boland Cavaliers 47 (34) Tasol Solar Griffons 29 (17)

Regent Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Ligtoring Landman (2), PJ Vermeulen, Cornal Hendricks, Elgar Watts. Conversions: Watts (5). Penalties: Watts (4).
Tasol Solar Griffons – Tries: Burger Schoeman (2), Nicky Steyn, Japie Nel. Conversions: Tiaan van Wyk, Reinhardt Erwee (2) Penalty: Erwee.

Absa Currie Cup First Division Log:

Pos. Team – P – W – D – L – PF – PA – PD – TF – TA – BPts – Pts

Eastern Province Kings – 7 – 7 – 0 – 0 – 327 – 158 – 169 – 46 – 20 – 5 – 33
Regent Boland Cavaliers – 7 – 6 – 0 – 1 – 316 – 120 – 196 – 42 – 15 – 7 – 31
SWD Eagles – 6 – 3 – 0 – 3 – 186 – 232 – -46 – 23 – 30 – 2 – 14
Tasol Solar Griffons – 7 – 1 – 0 – 6 – 201 – 293 – -92 – 26 – 41 – 7 – 11
Valke – 6 – 2 – 0 – 4 – 161 – 227 – -66 – 24 – 29 – 2 – 10
Border Bulldogs – 7 – 1 – 0 – 6 – 181 – 342 – -161 – 22 – 48 – 3 – 7

What EP Kings Captain Luke Watson had to say after the game:

Sore. Tired. Crashing on the couch watching reruns of ‘The Office’! Got the 5 points tonight. Wasn’t a great game but onwards upwards!2 September 2011 11:09 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite