It may have started ten minutes late due to a lack of rugby balls, but nine tries later – the appreciative crowd at the Embalenhle township outside Secunda got what they came for – a decent game of rugby in the Vodacom Shield competition.
That their team, the Pumas, also saw off the Eastern Province Elephants 36-30, made the day that much more memorable.
It was a game either team could have won.
The visitors lead 23-21 at the break, but could not use their numerous scoring opportunities in the second half and paid the price.
The lead changed hands six times before the break as both teams battled to keep the ball in the tackle. The visitors struck first when fullback Justin Peach kicked a penalty after three minutes. The Pumas replied immediately when scrumhalf Robbie Janse van Rensburg took a quick tap penalty and dummied his way through. Jacques Schutte kicked the conversion to give the Pumas a 7-3 lead.
The Elephants struck back to gain the lead in the 13th minute when right wing Nardi Lombard scored after good work by his inside backs. Pumas’ fullback, Martin Holland, was next on the score sheet when he outfoxed the EP outside backs with a strong run. A try by EP lock and captain, Rory Duncan, closed the gap to one again before Peach’s second penalty gave EP the lead again after 22 minutes.
Schutte then got his side back in front when he intercepted a loose pass and sprinted away to score under the posts and give himself the easiest of conversions. Pumas held on to their 21-16 lead till just before the break until Sam Willard, who had a storming game for the visitors in the midfield, scored after good work by Akhona Ndungane.
Monwabisi Mdyesha kicked the conversion to give EP the lead at half-time. The Pumas played their best rugby in the second half and managed to keep the ball in hand, setting up numerous phases. From these, a brace by Holland put the visitors into a 31-23 lead, which they never surrendered.
The win has come too late for the Pumas though, as they have failed to qualify for the semi-finals to be played next week.
Scorers: Pumas: Tries by Martin Holland (3), Robbie Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Schutte. Conversions: Jacques Schutte (4), Penalties: Schutte (2). EP: Tries by Akhona Ndungane, Nardi Lombard, Rory Duncan and Sam Willard.
Justin Peach kicked two penalties, and Brett Hennessey and Monwabisi Mdyesha a conversion each. – Sapa