BULLDOGS SHOW TEETH
Elephants out to grass
BORDER Bulldogs produced a match-winning second half performance when they narrowly edged the EP Elephants to claim a hardfought 22-17 in a nail-biting SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Friday night.
The first half saw the Port Elizabeth-based outfit dominating and they led 10-3 after 40 minutes after EP flyhalf Ruben de Vos had dictated matters early on with a dropped goal from about 35 metres out with the Elephants doing all the early attacking. But then some bad defensive work let in EP centre Siya Grey with De Vos kicking over a difficult conversion from the touchline.
The Bulldogs replied with a penalty from scrumhalf Bangihlombe Kobese.
The rest of the half was very quiet with neither team gaining any ascendancy.
However, virtually from the kickoff for the second half, Border’s right wing Siposenkosi Nofemele crashed his way through spectacularly for a try in the right hand corner which was converted by Kobese, who was having an excellent game, leaving the score at 10-10.
Then in the 56th minute Border scored again when Nofemele went over for his second try with Kobese again converting.
However, the Elephants then went on the attack and camped briefly on the Border line before the Elephants scrumhalf J P Smith managed to avoid a couple of Border tackles and go over for a try which was converted by De Vos to keep things level at 17-all.
Then, after after another relatively quiet period, Border essayed some forays into EP territory and were rewarded when left wing Lelethu Gcilitshane scooped up the ball about two metres out and barged his way over the EP tryline for a try but Kobese was unable to convert this time.
With some 15 minutes left for play there was a concerted attack by the Elephants close to the Border line but the defence held and the home team was able to hold onto their narrow lead. The eight members of the Border scrum were the real heroes for the home team with some fine defence work throughout.
There was wild screams from the delighted crowd who witnessed Border’s first win of the season when the referee, Ruhan Meiring, blew his whistle to signal the end of a tough, bruising match.