Stewart Shield hangs on the wire
Stewart Shield title comes down to last round of matches this weekend.
ESIKHAWINI Rugby Club took the long trip down to Hluhluwe on Friday evening to challenge the Stewart Shield log leaders on their home turf in a must-win game.
After the 80 minutes were up, the Bozas Cup Champions walked off the field with a bonus point victory, beating Hluhluwe 37-12.
The home side were first on the score board, thanks to numerous missed tackles which gave Hluhluwe a early 5-0 lead.
Esikhawini bounced back to score off the restart through an unconverted try by Lindani Mnyeni.
The tennis rally continued with Hluhluwe dotting down and successfully converted to take the score to 12-5.
As the teams matched each other both physically and mentally, it was Sizwe Majola who crossed the chalk just before half time to take the score to 12-10.
‘Both teams needed the vital log points, especially since there is only one game left in this league.
‘We played safe, conservative rugby which is not our game,’ said eSikhawini head coach Junior Makhoba.
‘But after analysing the home team’s game, we shifted up a gear and played our natural running game which resulted in the flood gates opening up.’
eSikhawini ran in five unanswered tries to end the game at 37-12.
Simphiwe Makhoba, Bo Mthabela, Philani Bhengu, Syanda Makhoba and Sizwe Sibiya all crossed the chalk for eSikhawini, with Philani Bhengu kicking one conversion.
The latest log sees Hluhluwe sitting on top with 24 points, eShowe in second spot on 22 points and eSikhawini in third place on 21 points.
Defending Stewart Shield champions Hluhluwe will have to sit on the side lines and wait to see what happens as they have a bye in the final round this weekend.
eShowe will host Empangeni 1 with eSikhawini hosting Mtubatuba.
A bonus point victory for eShowe will seal the title for 2015, but if eShowe just win and eSikhawini pick up a bonus point victory then they will be crowned champions.
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