THANKS to a gritty 24-20 win over the Down Touch Griffons on Saturday, July 11, The Leopards have moved to within one point of the log leaders, ORC Griquas, in the Absa Currie Cup Qualifier series.
The Leopards overcame a seven point Griffons lead at halftime to clinch the victory at the HT Pelatona Projects Stadium in Welkom.
In Wellington on Saturday, fullback Eric Zana scored 19 points as the Boland Cavaliers overcame a halftime deficit to score a 29-16 bonus-point win over the Hino Valke. This was the second win for Boland since the opening round and allowed them to move above Border into third spot.
At the Outeniqua Park in George, a strong performance in the first-half by hosts SWD Eagles, ensured a 19-13 win against the Border Bulldogs on Friday evening. Following this second successive loss, the Bulldogs dropped down to number four on the log with 10 points. This dents the Bulldogs’ hopes of topping the log. Despite picking up a bonus point win, the Leopards are still in the running for the wooden spoon with only five points on the log. After enjoying a bye weekend, the Griquas remain rooted at the top of the log with 16 points.
Down Touch Griffons vs Leopards
The Leopards made the better start to the game and took the lead when left wing Adrian Vermeulen crossed the try-line. The rest of the half belonged to the hosts as they battled to a 17-10 halftime lead. Fullback Tertius Maarman and left wing Vuyo Mbotho scored within two minutes of each other to put the Griffons in the lead in the first half. Flyhalf Louis Strydom kicked two conversions and added a penalty while outside centre Tyler Fisher handed Leopards their first try.
Nine minutes into the second half, the Leopards found themselves down 20-10. But after scoring two converted tries, the Leopards managed to overhaul the gallant Griffon effort and keep their hopes of topping the
table at the end of the competition alive. Strydom kicked another penalty after the restart while a try from scrumhalf Hanco Venter started the visitors’ fightback. Fullback Damian Engledoe also crossed try-line later to seal the victory for the Leopards and earn them a vital bonus point.
Scorers:
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Tertius Maarman, Vuyo Mbotho; Conversions: Louis Strydom (2); Penalties: Strydom (2)
Leopards – Tries: Tyler Fisher, Adrian Vermeulen, Damian Engledoe, Hanco Venter; Conversions: Adriaan Engelbrecht (2).
Boland Cavaliers vs Hino Valke
The big talking point was the debut of flyhalf Adriaan Carelse, who scored the opening try and slotted a drop-goal while running his backline with aplomb. The Valke initially dominated possession and territory, which allowed fullback Juan Kotze to slot three penalties.
After halftime a strong scrum allowed Carelse good ball on the front foot and deft running split the Valke defense as he scythed his way through to score, with Zana’s conversion handing the lead again to the hosts. The Valke replied swiftly with their only try of the match when lock Marlyn Williams crashed over before Kotze slotted the conversion.
Fullback Zana scored two great individual tries and slotted three successful conversions. With about 10 minutes left Zana scored and converted a neat individual try, to hand Boland a slender one-point advantage. Right wing Denwal Demas scored the third try for Boland after a neat break from Zana, who managed to slot the difficult conversion. With time up, Boland pushed hard for a bonus-point try and it came through the lively Zana, who side-stepped two defenders to dot down for his second try of the match.
Scorers:
Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Eric Zana (2), Adriaan Carelse, Danwel Demas; Conversions: Zana (3); Drop-goal: Carelse
Hino Valke – Try: Marlyn Williams; Conversion: Juan Kotze; Penalties: Kotze (3).
SWD Eagles vs Border Bulldogs
Two tries in the first half gave the Eagles an unassailable lead in their first win of the season. The visitors opened the scoring with an early penalty from fullback Logan Basson but the hosts were soon back in their stride as two tries in three minutes saw the Eagles take a handy 13-3 lead. Inside centre Martin du Toit and fullback Leighton Eksteen grabbed one try a piece. Flyhalf Gerrit Smith converted both tries as the home team went to the break holding a ten point lead.
The second half was more even and Border narrowed the gap to eight points with Basson’s second penalty. The Eagles made sure of the win when flank Christo du Plessis crashed over for an unconverted try. Border managed a consolation try through replacement hooker Ludwe Booi.
Scorers:
SWD Eagles – Tries: Martin du Toit, Leighton Eksteen, Christo du Plessis; Conversions: Gerrit Smith (2).
Border Bulldogs – Try: Ludwe Booi; Conversion: Logan Basson; Penalties: Basson (2).
