Boland keep unbeaten status intact

ROUND TWO WRAP: The Boland are now the only unbeaten team left following another round of exciting First Division action on Saturday, after they gained a 48-31 victory over Eastern Province at the Wolfson Stadium for their second bonus-point win of the new campaign.

Meanwhile, the results in the other two Saturday matches mean that three teams, namely EP Elephants, Falcons and Leopards, are locked on six points each.

The Falcons got the better of Leopards in Potchefstroom by 45-35, while in George the SWD Eagles managed to register a 46-26 win over Border Bulldogs.

The Eagles increased their league tally to five points thanks to their first win of the campaign, meaning the Bulldogs are rooted in sixth place on two points and still without a win.

In an entertaining encounter in Gqeberha, Boland outscored the Elephants by seven tries to two, leading by 29-7 at the break before wrapping up a comfortable away win in the second stanza.

Speedster Duren Hoffman and Neil Rautenbach each scored two tries for the side from Wellington, while flyhalf Ashlon Davids was on target with five conversions and a penalty goal for a personal contribution of 13 points.

EP performed much better in the second half and scored four times, however, the first-half deficit was too big as Boland also added a couple of tries during that period. Left-wing Rodney Damons scored a brace for the side from the Eastern Cape, while fullback Jayden Bantom added a conversion to his try.

At Outeniqua Park in George hosts SWD Eagles raced into a comfortable halftime lead of 33-14 before finishing off a deserved 45-26 triumph over a gallant Border Bulldogs outfit.

The Eagles scored seven tries and five conversions while the Bulldogs replied with four five-pointers and three conversions.

For EP Wayne Khan (hooker) and Rosco Syster (fullback) each went over twice while Sachin Toring slotted five of the conversion kicks. EP had four different scorers and Maxwell Klaasen succeeded with three of the four conversion attempts.

At 23-26 down at halftime the Leopards could still reel in the Valke, but the Potchefstroom side eventually went down 45-35 in this exciting clash at Olen Park.

The Falcons eventually scored two more tries than the Leopards’ five of the afternoon. Ezrick Alexander converted four of the Falcons’ seven tries, two of which were scored by right-wing Sergio Stalmeester. Playmaker Charles Williams succeeded with one conversion, a penalty goal and a drop goal while five different players scored tries for the team from Potch.

Next Saturday EP host Leopards, Boland are home to SWD and Falcons entertain Border.

The round two scores and scorers:

Eastern Province 31-48 Boland

The scorers:

For EP Elephants:
Tries: Rodney Damons 2, Diego Williams, Troy Delport, Jayden Bantom.
Cons: Mbembe Payi, Jayden Bantom, Darryle Kameel.

For Boland:
Tries: Neil Rautenbach 2, Duren Hoffman 2, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Keenan Opperman, Thurlow Marsh.
Cons: Ashlon Davids 5
Pen: Davids.

SWD Eagles 45-26 Border

The scorers:

For SWD:
Tries: Wayne Khan 2, Rosco Syster 2, Marlo Weich, Thoubaan Gabriels, JP Duvenage.
Cons: Sachin Toring 5

For Border:
Tries: Lindokuhle Seteni, Hugo Bronkhorst, Liyema Maqabasa, Sakhekile Dingile.
Cons: Maxwell Klaasen 3

Leopards 35-45 Falcons

The scorers:

For Leopards
Tries: Ruben Du Plessis, Chris Vermaak, Khwezi Junior Mafu, Siniothando Tshontsyi, Andre Grobler.
Cons: Charles Williams, Marius Viviers.
Pen: Williams
Drop goal: Williams.

For Falcons
Tries: Ezrick Alexander 2, Kayden Kiewit, Cohen Kiewit, Adri Kermis, Luciano Elias, Anrich Richter.
Cons: Sergio Stalmeester 4, Richter.