GALLERY: Pirates Rugby Club hosts thrilling Currie Cup match

Supporters were treated to a rugby spectacle when Pirates Rugby Club hosted a nail-biting Currie Cup match between the Xerox Golden Lions and the EP Kings on 28 May. It was a tightly-contested match, that ended with the scores tied at 35 apiece.

The first points of the match went to the EP Kings in the sixth minute after a penalty kick was awarded, but the early lead was short-lived when the Lions scored the first try of the match in the 15th minute.

The EP Kings did not wait for too long before getting their first try in the 21st minute. It was an equal contest in the scrums and line-outs, but the Lions dominated possession throughout the remainder of the first half. The teams went into a well-deserved half-time break with the score 20–13 to the Lions.

The Lions were first to score in the second half, with a successful penalty kick that gave them a 10-point buffer in the 46th minute. However, a penalty try in the 51st minute swung the momentum over to the EP Kings. The next 30 minutes were tightly contested with tries and penalties by both sides.

Going into the last minutes of the game, the Lions had a five point lead, but it was taken away in disbelieve of Lions supporters with an 80th minute try by EP Kings flanker, Juan Jonck, to equal the scores before a missed conversion.

It turned out to be an equal playing field, with both sides scoring four tries. Chairperson of the Pirates Rugby Club, Brad Guymer, said that he felt incredibly privileged and excited to host the match. “Pirates is the oldest rugby club in Gauteng and the Currie Cup is the oldest rugby competition,” Guymer said, adding that it was fitting that they could host such a competitive game at the club.

Details: Pirates Rugby Club, 011 646 5025.

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