Feast of tries in Polokwane
Day Two at Craven Week in Polokwane was characterised by big scores, as all the winning sides accumulated over 30 points in their matches.
The Golden Lions and Free State both registered hard-fought victories to mark a thrilling finish to the second day's play in Polokwane.
The Lions were made to work hard for their 34-27 victory against SWD despite dominating up front and initiating an early 13-0 lead compliments of a try by Ralton October and two penalties by Erwin Harris.
SWD however struck back strongly with two tries in seven minutes and another close to half-time to cancel out the Lions’ second try. The tight tussle continued in the second half with the teams each crossing the tryline twice, but Harris’ successful conversions proved to be the difference between the teams.
Free State, meanwhile, held their nerve in a nail-biting encounter against Eastern Province to begin their campaign with a 32-21 victory.
The clash was tight from the start with a try-scoring exchange taking place between the teams, while Eastern Province’s Theo Stapelberg scored two penalties to only one by Free State centre Stephen Rautenbach to hand EP a 18 – 15 lead at half time.
Both teams created try-scoring chances in an arm-wrestle of a second half, but Free State came out on top as they worked their way into the right areas of the field and capitalised on their chances to cross the tryline twice. Another penalty by Rautenbach two minutes from the end to add to this was sufficient to shut out Eastern Province and seal the victory.
In the other matches, Eastern Province Country Districts registered an encouraging 35-10 victory against the Leopards, while Griquas Country Districts smashed Border Country Districts 51-0. Meanwhile the Falcons and Griffons played to a 37-37 draw.
The Griffons, however, would have been disappointed with their result as an unsuccessful penalty in the dying minutes came at the cost of a victory.
The action continues tomorrow, with Boland meeting Border, KwaZulu-Natal taking on the Pumas and the Blue Bulls going up against Western Province in an action-packed day.
Craven Week Day Two results:
Free State 32 – 21 EP
Golden Lions 34 – 27 SWD
Falcons 37 – 37 Griffons
Griquas CD 51 – 0 Border CD
EP CD 35 – 10 Leopards
Craven Week Day Three fixtures:
09.30 – Namibia vs Griquas
11.00 – Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Zimbabwe
12.30 – Boland vs Border
14.00 – KZN vs Pumas
15.30 – Blue Bulls vs WP
