eSikhiweni rugby leave it all on the field

THE eSikhiweni rugby team, coached by Junior Makhoba, left everything to fate on Friday evening when beating Mtubatuba 33-10 in their final Stewart Shield fixture played at Richards Bay Rugby Club.

This win now leaves the log reading – 1 eSikhiweni 26 points, 2 Hluhluwe 24 points and 3 eShowe 22 points.

But eShowe still has to play Empangeni 1 at home after their fixture was cancelled on Friday evening owing to load shedding.

eShowe has to beat Empangeni with a bonus point to claim the Stewart Shield title, otherwise eSikhiweni will make club history claiming the title.

eSikhiweni took an early 7-5 lead going into half time in a game that saw Mtubatuba dominate ball possession and the home side scoring off scraps.

Mtuba dotted down first to open their scoring account, with the home side replying through a try from turnover ball which resulted in Simphiwe Makhoba crossing the chalk with Philani Bhengu kicking the conversion.

Mtubatuba played a slow controlled game utilising their pack of forwards, dominating scrums and lineouts.

eSikhiweni defended well and capitalised from every turnover, with their superior fitness and speed winning the game for them.

Sizwe Majola (2), Fish Mlondo and Lindani Mnyeni all scored tries for the home side, with Bhengu nailing three conversions.

eSikhiweni will take on Richards Bay 3 at the Richards Bay Rugby Club on Friday evening in their opening Weber Cup match.

This game will be a cracker, as Richards Bay 3 went unbeaten and claimed the Van Rooyen Cup.

Kick-off is at 7pm.

‘After winning the Bozas Cup earlier this year and hopefully the Stewart Shield, our sights are set on taking the Weber Cup. We need to win all our games and not leave it up to chance like we did in the Stewart Shield,’ said Makhoba.