Killian helps EP Kings to Valke Currie Cup victory

The EP Kings picked up their third win in a row with a convincing away victory over the Valke at an icy Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park.

The visitors had the match virtually sewn up by halftime as they led 24-8 thanks to tries from prodigal son Michael Killian – who has returned to Port Elizabeth after a successful spell at the Lions – Kiwi prop Clint Newland and former Springbok wing Jongi Nokwe.

The Valke were dealt an early blow when tighthead prop Nico Engelbrecht was injured and his replacement, Hannes Ludik, was sin-binned shortly afterwards to give the Kings a one-man advantage that Killian took advantage of.

Tireless Valke eighthman Reg Muller scored his team’s first try just before the break, but the Kings responded after halftime with a try to replacement prop Lizo Gqoboka that made it 31-8.

The Valke fought back strongly with tries to wing JW Bell and replacement loose forward Uzair Cassiem to cut the deficit to 11 points, but the Kings, showing good composure, closed out the game with two penalties from the boot of replacement flyhalf Wesley Dunlop.

Final Score Valke (8) 20 EP Kings (24) 37

Scorers

Valke
Tries: JW Bell, Reg Muller, Uzair Cassiem
Conversion: Karlo Aspeling
Penalty: Aspeling.

Kings
Tries: Michael Killian, Lizo Gqoboka, Jongi Nokwe, Clint Newland
Conversions: George Whitehead (4)
Penalties: Whitehead, Wesley Dunlop (2).