Despatch humble Brumbies in high-scoring encounter
[caption id="attachment_37167" align="alignright" width="405"] TIGHT GRIP: African Bombers' Lubalu Fumaneya is held up on the tryline by Gardens defender Darinton Gans in their Grand Challenge match at the weekend. Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN[/caption]
GAP Despatch continued their winning ways when they finished the first leg of the EP Grand Challenge with a 64-10 annihilation of the Brumbies at the weekend.
The high-riding former Cell C Community Cup champions wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard in their home match and it was clear early on that the Grahamstown side, who last won a game a month ago, were in for a tough day at the office.
To the visitors' credit, they managed to limit the tough Despatch outfit to a 26-3 half-time score.
But in the second half the only team yet to lose a game in the Grand Challenge this year moved into top gear and ran away for an overwheling victory, scoring 11 tries in total.
In another high-scoring match, PE SAPS beat Park 58-15 at Kemsley Park.
The policemen's confidence was sky high after edging NMMU in their previous encounter.
Park, on the other hand, were determined to put up a good performance after being outplayed against Despatch, losing 101-0. However, PE SAPS had too much firepower.
At the Rosedale Stadium, Gardens edged African Bombers 21-17 in a thrilling affair.
Despite a few questionable decisions from the officials, the game lived up to expectations as both sides came out blazing in search of maximum points.
But the Eastern Cape Super 12 champions, who have been on a roll, winning four games on the trot, took their chances and led 10-3 at the break.
The even exchanges continued in the second half as both sides threw everything at each other, but a further 11 points sealed the victory for the home outfit.
On the Crusaders field, Caltex Crusaders narrowly edged Progress 13-12 after trailing 6-3 at half time.
The closely contested encounter started at a frantic pace but good defending limited the score to a respectable difference.
Saders, who have gelled well in recent weeks after losing a few games through unnecessary errors, capitalised on the momentum from last week's win against the Brumbies and did enough to take the honours.
Progress, the former Eastern Cape Super 12 champions, were determined not to lose a second game in a row after going down against rivals Gardens, but Saders held the edge to earn full points.
At the New Brighton Oval, Spring Rose beat Kruisfontein 35-32 in an even match as indicated by the half-time score of 18-17 to the visitors.
Rose were desperate to get back to their winning ways after sharing the spoils with Bombers last weekend and they punished Kruisfontein in the closing stages to secure the victory.
An indication of the closeness of the match was that each team scored five tries.
At the Adcock Stadium, NMMU ran in five tries to register a comfortable 31-12 win against Harlequins.
NMMU, who were determined to get back on the victory path after being stunned by PE SAPS, led 24-12 at the break.
While they eventually took the honours, it was a scrappy performance by the students against the struggling northern areas side. - Mkhululi Ndamase
