EP notch opening win in Windhoek
The Eastern Province Kings secured their first campaign win with a 31-18 (halftime 19-8) victory over the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias XV in their new provincial tournament rugby fixture at Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek, on Saturday.
The Kings scored five tries to two to finally break their competition duck in perfect conditions for rugby in the Namibian capital.
The sides, placed last and second-last on the table, came into the match searching for their first win of the campaign.
The youthful Eastern Province Kings had lost matches to SWD Eagles, Boland Kavaliers and the high-flying Border Bulldogs.
Their opponents had also suffered defeats in their opening three matches against the Toyota Free State XV, Xerox Golden Lions and Cell C Sharks XV.
The Kings opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute through a Stephanus Nieuwoudt try.
Almost immediately after that, the Welwitschias XV were dealt two major blows when prop Shaun du Preez and flank Leneve Damens were sin-binned.
Kings fullback Courtney Winnaar took advantage of the extra numbers to score the Kings’ second try which was converted by Simon Bolze.
The Welwitschias displayed fighting spirit throughout and fought straight back with right wing Johann Tromp dotting down.
EP increased their lead when wing Athi Mayinje converted centre Somila Jho’s try but then the home team replied with two penalties either side of the break through fly half Shaun Kaizemi.
At this stage the teams were trading blows and replacement fly half Siphu Msutwana scored again for the Kings.
Tromp got his second try almost on the hour and Kaizemi added the two points to bring the Namibians back into the game.
But the Kings had the last laugh when left wing Lindelwe Zungu crashed over for his team’s fifth try, which was converted by Mayinje.
The Welwitschias’ next game will be against Steval Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 7 May.
Steval Pumas are eighth on the log with 10 points from four games played thus far.
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) registered a team made up of only local players for the 2016 edition of the Currie Cup tournament.
The tournament will be played from April to October, with the Welwitschias set to play seven games at home and seven in South Africa.
Scorers
Welwitschias – Tries: Johann Tromp (2); Conversions: Shaun Kaizemi; Penalties: Shaun Kaizemi (2)
EP Kings – Tries: Courtney Winnaar, Lindelwe Zungu, Siphu Msutwana, Somila Jho, Stephanus Nieuwoudt; Conversions: Athi Mayinje (2), Simon Bolze
The Kings scored five tries to two to finally break their competition duck in perfect conditions for rugby in the Namibian capital.
The sides, placed last and second-last on the table, came into the match searching for their first win of the campaign.
The youthful Eastern Province Kings had lost matches to SWD Eagles, Boland Kavaliers and the high-flying Border Bulldogs.
Their opponents had also suffered defeats in their opening three matches against the Toyota Free State XV, Xerox Golden Lions and Cell C Sharks XV.
The Kings opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute through a Stephanus Nieuwoudt try.
Almost immediately after that, the Welwitschias XV were dealt two major blows when prop Shaun du Preez and flank Leneve Damens were sin-binned.
Kings fullback Courtney Winnaar took advantage of the extra numbers to score the Kings’ second try which was converted by Simon Bolze.
The Welwitschias displayed fighting spirit throughout and fought straight back with right wing Johann Tromp dotting down.
EP increased their lead when wing Athi Mayinje converted centre Somila Jho’s try but then the home team replied with two penalties either side of the break through fly half Shaun Kaizemi.
At this stage the teams were trading blows and replacement fly half Siphu Msutwana scored again for the Kings.
Tromp got his second try almost on the hour and Kaizemi added the two points to bring the Namibians back into the game.
But the Kings had the last laugh when left wing Lindelwe Zungu crashed over for his team’s fifth try, which was converted by Mayinje.
The Welwitschias’ next game will be against Steval Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 7 May.
Steval Pumas are eighth on the log with 10 points from four games played thus far.
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) registered a team made up of only local players for the 2016 edition of the Currie Cup tournament.
The tournament will be played from April to October, with the Welwitschias set to play seven games at home and seven in South Africa.
Scorers
Welwitschias – Tries: Johann Tromp (2); Conversions: Shaun Kaizemi; Penalties: Shaun Kaizemi (2)
EP Kings – Tries: Courtney Winnaar, Lindelwe Zungu, Siphu Msutwana, Somila Jho, Stephanus Nieuwoudt; Conversions: Athi Mayinje (2), Simon Bolze
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article