EP Kings cruise past SWD Eagles in Currie Cup

The EP Kings’ unbeaten run continued as they eased to an easy win over the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.

Flyhalf Wesley Dunlop shone for the visitors as he scored 14 points courtesy of a try, three conversions and a penalty as the Eagles missed the chance the strengthen their hold on third position on the log.

SWD right wing Clint Wagman was yellow-carded in the 10th minute for a spear tackle and the Kings took advantage seven minutes later when left wing Norman Nelson slid over in the corner after taking a pass from scrumhalf Noel Oelschig following a EP scrum five metres from the Eagles’ tryline.

The rest of the half was mainly contested between the two 22-metre areas but five minutes before the break the Kings finally scored again after a scything run from Paul Perez who galloped all of 45 metres before the Samoan was hauled down just short of the tryline.

But Dunlop was on hand to scoop up the ball before going over for a try with the flyhalf converting his own score as the Kings ended the half holding a 12-0 lead.

Dunlop opened the scoring in the second half with a 43rd minute penalty and six minutes later the pivot played a crucial role in his team’s third try when his superb off-load set up outside centre Wayne Stevens.

The Kings wrapped up the bonus-point try in the 57th minute when eighthman Luke Watson pilfered an errant SWD lineout throw from hooker Sidney Tobias 10 metres from the host’s tryline. Watson surged towards the line before being halted but tighthead prop Clint Newland was on hand to gather the ball and drive his way over for a converted try.

The Eagles finally opened their account, in the 63rd minute, when replacement forward Lyndon Hartnick broke free from 30 metres out before swerving past the last defender on his way to a converted try. However, it was little more than a consolation score for the hosts who battled to contain the Kings in the second half.

Final Score SWD Eagles (0) 7 EP Kings (12) 29

Scorers

Eagles
Try: Lyndon Hartnick
Conversion: Elric van Vuuren.

Kings
Tries: Wesley Dunlop, Wayne Stevens, Norman Nelson, Clint Newland
Conversions: Dunlop (3)
Penalty: Dunlop.