Kings and Eagles top Currie Cup Div.1 log

The SWD Eagles continued their undefeated run in the Currie Cup First Division following their 55-47 victory over the Valke at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park.

Fifteen tries were scored in this match with the George side running in eight tries to the seven added by their opponents.

Valke outside centre Coert Cronje (3) added a hat-trick of tries while utility back Franco Booysen, reserve hooker Shone van der Walt, fullback Chrysander Botha and centre Carel van Lill were the other try-scores for the hosts. Gido Horn (2) and Martin Thomsen added the conversions. Horn and Booysen each kicked one penalty.

However their efforts were not enough to prevent their side from conceding their fourth defeat in this season’s competition.

The win for the George side though ensured that they ended week five, level on points with the Eastern Province Kings who are in first position on the Currie Cup First Division log with 19.

Centres Bevin Fortuin and Bobby Joubert; fullback Jandre Blom, No 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, flankers Shaun Raubenheimer and Danzel Manuel, lock Lubabalo Mtyanda and prop Anton van der Westhuizen all scored tries for the SWD Eagles.

Flyhalf Ambrose Barends kicked three conversions and one penalty while Blom also converted three five-pointers.

In the other Currie Cup First Division match of the weekend, the Border Bulldogs secured their second victory of the competition after they recorded a 50-46 win over the Boland Cavaliers.

Twelve tries were scored in this game played at the Boland Stadium in Wellington with both teams running in six five-pointers each.

The hosts held a 26-21 half time lead, but failed to press on and secure a second win in the competition after they were guilty of slipping numerous first-time tackles in the second half which allowed their opponents momentum during the final 40 minutes of play.

The Cavaliers winger Cornal Hendricks scored a hat-trick of tries while flanker Franzel September, winger Jeremy Plaatjies and utility back Lionel Cornelius all added their names to the try-scorers sheet. Fullback Jacquin Jansen kicked four conversions.

Cornelius also added two penalties and one conversion.

The Bulldogs’ six tries were added by flanker Ross Doneghan, lock Ben Venter, No 8 Bonga Mntunjani, flyhalf Logan Basson, utility back Luvuyo Mhlobiso and hooker Matthew Taljard.

Basson kicked three conversions and three penalties while the Border Bulldogs centre Jeff Taljard added two conversions and one penalty.

The result for the Border Bulldogs ensured that they ended the weekend in fourth position on the Currie Cup First Division log while the defeat for the Boland Cavaliers has consigned them to fifth place after four games.

Currie Cup First Division log (August 15):
P W D L PF PA PD B Pts
EP Kings 4 4 0 0 139 78 61 3 19
SWD Eagles 4 4 0 0 151 109 42 3 19
Border Bulldogs 4 2 0 2 112 141 -29 1 9
Griffons 4 1 0 3 102 74 28 4 8
Boland Cavaliers 4 1 0 3 157 138 19 4 8
Valke 4 0 0 4 68 189 -121 1 1