CC qualifiers: Leopards on the move

The Leopards moved to within a point of Currie Cup qualifier log leaders Griquas thanks to a gritty 24-20 win over the Griffons in Welkom at the weekend.

The Griffons led 17-10 at the break.

In other action at the weekend fullback Eric Zana scored 19 points as the Boland Cavaliers overcame a half-time deficit to score a 29-16 bonus-point victory over the Falcons in Wellington.

The win was Boland's first success since the opening round and allowed them to move above Border into third spot.

In the opening match of the weekend hosts SWD Eagles turned in a strong first-half performance on their way to a 19-13 win over the Border Bulldogs in George.

The win moved the Eagles (eight points) to fifth, while the loss severely dented Border's (10 points) faint hope of ending on top as they dropped down to fourth following their second successive loss.

Leaders Griquas (16 points) had a bye, while Griffons (five points), despite picking up a losing bonus-point against the Leopards, remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Griffons 20 (17) Leopards 24 (10)

The Leopards found themselves 10-20 down after nine minutes of the second half. But they scored two converted tries to overhaul the gallant Griffons and keep their hopes of topping the table at the end of the competition alive.

The loss was tough on Griffons who have showed signs of decent form recently, however, the Leopards deserved it as they ran in four tries to two.

Leopards made the better start to the game and took the lead when left wing Adrian Vermeulen ran in. The rest of the half belonged to the hosts as they battled to a 17-10 half-time lead.

Fullback Tertius Maarman and left wing Vuyo Mbotho scored within two minutes after each other to put Griffons on top in the first half. Louis Strydom (No.10) kicked two conversions and added a penalty while outside centre Tyler Fisher handed Leopards their first try. Strydom kicked another penalty after the restart while a Hanco Venter (No.9) try started the visitors' fightback.

Fullback Damian Engledoe also crossed later to seal victory for the visitors and earn them a vital bonus point.

Scorers:

Griffons:

Tries: Maarman, Mbotho

Cons: Strydom 2

Pens: Strydom 2

Leopards

Tries: Fisher, Vermeulen, Engledoe, Venter

Cons: Engelbrecht 2

Teams:

Griffons: 15 Tertius Maarman, 14 Alvin Brandt, 13 Dewald Pretorius, 12 Japie Nel, 11 Vuyo Mbotho, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Boela Abrahams, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Marco Kruger, 6 Freddy Ngoza, 5 Johan van der Hoogt, 4 Willem Serfontein, 3 Rudi Britz, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Gerard Baard.

Replacements: 16 Hennie Venter, 17 Daniel van der Merwe, 18 Chris Ehlers, 19 Martin Sithole, 20 Oshwill Nortjé, 21 Colin Herbert, 22 Wynand Pienaar.

Leopards: 15 Damian Engledoe, 14 Rowayne Beukman, 13 Tyler Fisher, 12 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 11 Adrian Vermeulen, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Hanco Venter, 8 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Loftus Morrison, 6 Juan Language (captain), 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Robert Kruger, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Wian Fourie, 1 Devon Martinus.

Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Sthembiso Mhlongo, 19 Jeandré Rudolph, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Johnny Welthagen, 22 Rhyno Smith.

Referee: Jaco van Heerden

Boland Cavaliers 29 (3) Falcons 16 (9)

Fullback Eric Zana scored two great individual tries, the second of which was scored after the hooter sounded, along with three conversions.

The big talking point was the debut of flyhalf Adriaan Carelse, who scored the opening try and slotted a drop-goal while running his backline with aplomb.

The Falcons initially dominated possession and territory, which allowed fullback Juan Kotze to slot three penalties while Carelse succeeded with his drop attempt.

After half-time a strong scrum allowed Carelse good ball on the front foot and some deft running split the Falcons defence as he scythed his way through to score, with Zana's conversion handing the lead again to the hosts. The Falcons replied swiftly with their only try of the match when lock Marlyn Williams crashed over while Kotze slotted the conversion.

With about ten minutes left Zana scored a neat individual try, which he converted himself, to hand Boland a slender one-point advantage. Right wing Denwal Demas scored the third try for the hosts after a neat break from Zana, who again slotted the difficult conversion. With time up, the Cavaliers pushed hard for a bonus-point try and it came through the lively Zana, who side-stepped two defenders to dot down for his second. The win was Boland's first victory since the opening round.

Scorers:

Boland Cavaliers:

Tries: Zana 2, Carelse, Demas

Cons: Zana 3

DG: Carelse

Falcons:

Try: Williams

Con: Kotze

Pens: Kotze 3

Teams:

Boland: 15 Eric Zana, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Wilneth Engelbrecht, 12 Edwin Sass, 11 Arno Fortuin, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 9 Jovelian de Koker, 8 Wayne Wilschut, 7 Yves Bashiya, 6 Chaney Willemse, 5 Gavin Annandale (captain), 4 Hanno Kitshoff, 3 Deacon Chowles, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 SP Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Keenan Abrahams, 18 Theuns Botha, 19 Nicolai Lubbe, 20 Senan Van Der Merwe, 21 Christian Rust, 22 Ryno Conradie.

Falcons: 15 Jaun Kotze, 14 Kyle Hendricks, 13 Andrew van Wyk, 12 Willie Odendaal, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Jaco Oosthuizen, 9 Anrich Richter, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 JP Mostert (captain), 6 Jacques Verwey, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Thulani Ngidi, 2 Dean Muir, 1 Andries Schutte.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Hartman, 17 Dandre van der Westhuizen, 18 Isak Deetlefs, 19 Andrew van Tonder, 20 Johan Pretorius, 21 Grant Janke, 22 Arno Poley.

Referee: Rodney Boneparte

SWD Eagles 19 (14) Border Bulldogs 13 (3)

The Eagles claimed their first win of the season, in their fifth game, as they ran in three tries to one with the two tries that they scored in the first-half giving them what turned out to be an unassailable lead.

The visitors opened the scoring with an early penalty from fullback Logan Basson but the hosts were soon into their stride as two tries in three minutes saw the Eagles take a handy 13-3 lead. Inside centre Martin du Toit and fullback Leighton Eksteen grabbed a try each.

Flyhalf Gerrit Smith converted both tries as the home team went to the break holding a 10-point lead.

The second half was more even and Border narrowed the gap to eight points with Basson's second penalty.

The Eagles made sure of the win when flank Christo du Plessis crashed over for an unconverted try. Border managed a consolation through replacement hooker Ludwe Booi.

Scorers:

SWD Eagles:

Tries: Du Toit, Eksteen, Du Plessis

Cons: Smith 2

Border Bulldogs:

Try: Booi

Con: Basson

Pens: Basson 2

Teams:

SWD Eagles: 15 Leighton Eksteen, 14 Carlo Radebe, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Martin du Toit, 11 Daniel Roberts, 10 Gerrit Smith, 9 Johan Steyn, 8 Lyndon Hartnick, 7 Davon Raubenheimer (captain), 6 Christo Du Plessis, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marius Fourie, 1 Juandre Digue.

Replacements: 16 Kurt Haupt, 17 Dean Hopp, 18 Layle Delo, 19 Alwyn Bester, 20 Buran Parks, 21 Dillin Snel, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu.

Border: 15 Logan Basson, 14 Sipho Nofemele, 13 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Thembani Mkokeli, 9 Ntando Kebe (captain), 8 Onke Dubase, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 5 Nkosi Nofuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi, 1 Yanga Xakalashe.

Replacements: 16 Ludwe Booi, 17 Blake Kyd, 18 Wandile Putuma, 19 Ayabonga Nomboyo, 20 Bangi Kobese, 21 Oliver Zono, 22 Lundi Ralarala.

Referee: Quinton Immelman

Standings (under headings matches played, won and points): 1 Griquas 4 3 16; 2 Leopards 4 3 15; 3 Boland 5 2 13; 4 Border 4 2 10; 5 SWD Eagles 5 1 8; 6 Falcons 4 2 8; 7 Griffons 4 1 5.