Defending champs to host EP in Final

WRAP: The First Division Final will be contested between Boland Cavaliers and Eastern Province in Wellington on Saturday.

The First Division semifinals were both closely fought affairs, with Boland and Eastern Province prevailing at home to progress to the Final this weekend.

Only four points were the difference between EP and the Falcons as the men from Gqeberha beat the East Randers by 31-27.

EP led 14-12 at the break in Uitenhage and eventually clinched the semifinal after both sides scored four tries, with the difference the home team’s goal-kicking.

Boland will defend their First Division title at home after they edged Western Cape rivals SWD Eagles 25-24 on Saturday in Wellington.

Ashlon Davids scored 15 points for the hosts.

The match was an exciting affair as the teams went into the halftime break with the Cavaliers leading 18-17.

Both sides only managed to add a converted try in the second half, but that was enough for the Bolanders to progress to their second home Final in a row.

The scores and scorers:

Eastern Province 31 Falcons 27

The scorers:

For EP
Tries: Temba Boltina, Lungi Mbiko, Athenkosi Manentsa, Jayden Bantom.
Cons: Shirwin Cupido 2, Bantom 2
Pen: Mbembe Payi

For Falcons:
Tries: Pierre Rabie, Zander van der Merwe, Valentino Wellman, Ezrick Alexander.
Cons: Keagan Fortune 2
Pen: Fortune.

Boland Cavaliers 25 SWD Eagles 24

The scorers:

For Boland:
Tries: Michael Benadie, Emile Booysen, Ashlon Davids.

Cons: Davids 2
Pens: Davids 2

For SWD Eagles:
Tries: Clive Kruger 2, Sachin Toring.
Cons: Marlo Weich 3
Pen: Weich.