EP claim second major scalp

 

In an incredible display of school boy rugby, Eastern Province put past three tries in the first half with the men from Bloemfontein managing to get a try in the second half – the only score of the final half.

 

The match saw some amazing intensity in attack, but it was the massive hits and brutal defense that was the real draw-car.

 

It was a frenetic start to the final game of Day Four of the Craven Week with both teams looking polished in their attack and defense.

 

The first real attack from Freestate saw some incredible hits coming in from Eastern Province, this did not slow the momentum as the men from Bloemfontein threw everything at the line, EP's defense on the ground was up to the assault as they stole back possession and cleared their lines.

 

unsurprizingly, in such a tightly contested match, Curwin Bosch decided to have a crack at the posts after a no-arms tackle from a Free State player. However, the distance may have been a bit ambitious as Bosch fell short.

 

It wasn't long until Bosch got involved again, running a little sideways Bosch spotted some space at the back, the flyhalf put in a chip and chased along with fullback Keanu Vers, in a coming together of three players Vers emerged with the ball over the line for the try. Bosch got his second attempt over.

 

Free State got their first shot at points through the boot of Paul Dawie de Lange after a penalty given away by EP. However, the kick was wayward and Free State remained scoreless. 

 

EP got themselves on the scoreboard again after two brilliant offloads from Junior Pokomela and Vers, Pokomela, under immense pressure, got the ball to Vers and ran along the touch line before drawing some attention, his offload was just as sublime to Athi Mayinje who flew over the line. Bosch added the extras with a great strike.

 

EP were looking rampant in the first half as Bosch attempted another long range penalty – it was wide but it definitly shot a warning to the Free State that there are points on offer in their half with Bosch not struggling with distance.

 

A mistake by EP actually turned into points for them. A long floated pass by the EP flyhalf was briefly intercepted, by a Free Stater, he was met quickly in the tackle and a knock on was forced, in the confusion the ball was snapped up by Pokomela and spread to the blind side where Darren Lottering was on hand to get over in the corner.

 

At half time it was Eastern Province that were in full ascendency with a 19-0 lead.

 

In the second half the points seem to dry up a bit, but it was not due to a loss of excitement or intensity from both teams.

 

EP continued looking threatening by Free State would not let them breach their line in a showing of determination in defense.

 

EP often got close with some scintillating runs from the likes of Jeremy Ward, Heino Bezuidenhout and Vers, but in the last phase it was often turned over or butchered just short of the line – Free State were holding on, but not looking like a threat in defense.

 

With a slight shift in momentum, Freestate were finally able to get their first points of the game through Julian Jordaan. Some slick inter-passing between the centres saw the man from Grey weave his way into the corner over the tryline.

 

With the end of the game insight the play started opening up a little more, however the handling did seem to suffer a bit with some audacious passes were being attempted.

 

In the end it was the first half blitz by EP that saw them claim their second major scalp of the Week after defeating the Blue Bulls on Tuesday.

 

Man of the Match: The EP back line look very impressive with Curwin Bosch controlling things nicely. Lupumlo Mguca was a monster on defence for a big man. Jeremy Ward looked powerful in the centres, but in the end it was the pace and energy of Keanu Vers that gets him our award.

 

 

Tries: Vers, Mayinje, Lottering

Cons: Bosch 2

 

Try: Jordaan

 

 

Free State: 15 Lourens Steenkamp, 14 Sentle Lehoko, 13 Julian Jordaan, 12 Mike Andrade, 11 Jeandre Christian, 10 Paul Dawie de Lange, 9 Dian Badenhorst, 8 Alex Jonker, 7 Victor Maruping, 6 de Wet Bezuidenhout, 5 Kian Skippers, 4 Jurie Burger, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Greydon Wenn, 1 Ruben Terblanche.

Replacments: 16 JC Jansen van Vuuren, 17 Kanya Gela, 18 Ignatius Prinsloo, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Shirwin Cupido, 21 Dale Koopman, 22 Patrick Mbangi.

 

Eastern Province: 15 Keanu Vers, 14 Athi Mayinje, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Darren Lottering, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Nathan Augustus, 8 Junior Sipato Pokomela, 7 Johann van Niekerk, 6 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 5 Wihan Coetzer, 4 Stefan Janse van Vuuren, 3 Roche van Zyl, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Lupumlo Mguca.

Replacments: 16 Robin Stevens, 17 Kaden Prince, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Morney Moos, 20 Rouche Nel, 21 Tiaan Stander, 22 Lunathi Nxele.

 

Referee: Rodney Bonaparte