Boland claimed their second piece of silverware in less than a year when they won the Vodacom Shield with a 19-12 (half-time 11-5) victory over the Eagles in Wellington on Friday.
The home side captured the Absa Currie Cup first-division title last season and now have ensured that they will compete in the Vodacom Cup next year after this match.
Boland started the match as favourites and while deserving the spoils in the end, were made to work hard thanks to some committed play from the Eagles.
In fact, it was the visitors who drew first blood with a well-taken try from right wing Jeremy Plaatjies, who jinked his way over the line as early as the second minute to stun the vociferous home crowd.
But Boland quickly regrouped and set about driving into the heart of the Eagles defence, gaining important territory that forced mistakes from the visitors. In their desperation to claw the ball away from the clutches of Boland they transgressed several times, giving referee Andy Turner no option but to sound the whistle.
Boland flyhalf Patrick Petersen had his sights well set and slotted two penalties before the 20th minute to take his side into a 6-5 lead.
The continued pressure from Boland began slowly to pull the Eagle’s well-organised defence apart after having to make tackle after tackle. Eventually it was one tackle too many and Boland lock Nicky Smit crashed over for his side’s first try of the match to give them a six-point edge at the break.
The lead was increased when hard-working number eight Henley du Plessis crossed the tryline six minutes into the second half to give the Bolanders a healthy advantage. With more than half an hour left and Boland well in control in all aspects it appeared as they should run in a host of tries to sweeten the taste of victory.
But the Eagles are made of sterner stuff and fought back gallantly by gaining parity in the territorial and possession stakes, which led to a second try, this time by lock Henry Rheeders. Tewis de Bruin added the conversion and with 20 minutes remaining the Eagles were suddenly within a try from victory.
As the tension mounted, so did the mistakes, but with less than 10 minutes left Petersen had the final say when he slotted his third penalty to start what promises to be a memorable sporting weekend on the right note for Wellington’s faithful. — Sapa