Spring Rose roll up sleeves for EP Grand Challenge encounter

SPRING Rose will have a second bite at Gap Despatch in the space of a month when they lock horns in a titanic EP Grand Challenge encounter at the New Brighton Oval tomorrow.

When the two sides last met, it was in the Cell C Community Cup last month, when Despatch emerged victorious on their home ground.

But despite winning 24-6 in a game dominated by ill-disciple from both outfits, the victory was far from convincing.

While Despatch stuck to the basics and made the right decisions at crucial stages of the game, Rose were their own worst enemy by failing to take kickable penalties and opting to run the ball throughout the game.

However, tomorrow's game, which promises to be a thriller, will be a whole new ball game and Rose will be looking for revenge and to give their fans something to smile about after they failed to progress past the group stages of the Cell C Community Cup.

Whenever the two sides meet, the fans are always treated to a spectacular game and this should not be any different. Both sides will be looking to start the Grand Challenge on a positive note, but Despatch go into the clash as wounded lions after they failed to defend the Cell C Community Cup last weekend in George.

They will be looking to vent their frustration on the New Brighton side, but Rose will also be hoping to avoid a second consecutive defeat to their arch-rivals.

Kruisfontein will aim to make it two wins in as many matches when they host PE SAPS at the Humansdorp Country Club.

The home team go into the game high in confidence after outclassing, outplaying and humiliating Harlequins 57-20 in their opening game.

PE SAPS will be playing their first game of the campaign and will be looking to start the league with a bang.

On a good day, the men in blue can beat any side, but Kruisfontein are no pushovers and will be looking to send a strong message to the physical Port Elizabeth outfit. Kick-off is at 3.30pm for both games. - Mkhululi Ndamase