SWD, Valke book Currie Cup First Division home semi-finals

Oct 7 • Currie Cup F.Div, General News, National • 3434 Views • Comments Off on SWD, Valke book Currie Cup First Division home semi-finals

The SWD Eagles and Hino Valke delivered the goods to book valuable Currie Cup First Division home semi-finals this weekend, while the Down Touch Griffons and Leopards were confirmed as the other semi-finalists in a thrilling finish to the pool stages this weekend.

The Hino Valke will host the Leopards in Kempton Park, while log-leaders, the SWD Eagles, and defending champions, the Down Touch Griffons, will meet in the other semi-final in George next weekend – proudly brought to you by Nashua and DirectAxis Financial Services.

The Hino Valke kicked off the weekend’s action with a 41-35 victory in a hard-fought encounter against the Leopards in Potchefstroom, which pushed them ahead of the opposition on the log for a home semi-final on points’ difference. Both teams scored five tries, but Anrich Richter’s five conversions and penalty goal, and a drop goal by Errol Jaggers proved vital in the Hino Valke’s victory.

Dean Stokes was a key figure for the Leopards as he scored a hat-trick, while Schalk Hugo converted all of their tries, but their efforts were not enough to guide the team to victory.

In East London, the Down Touch Griffons outplayed the Border Bulldogs completely for their morale-boosting 40-7 victory, which ensured that they finished in the top four. Anrich Alberts scored three of the Welkom side’s seven tries, while the hosts were only able to breach the defence once in the match for their seven points.

The SWD Eagles also delivered a dominant display against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth for their bonus-point 36-7 victory, which allowed them to top the log for a home semi-final and possible home final.

Adri Jacobs starred for the side as he scored two of their four tries, while Eastern Province’s efforts were limited to one converted try in the second half.

Currie Cup First Division Round 7 results:

Eastern Province 7 (0) SWD Eagles 36 (19)

Eastern Province – Try: Riaan Arends. Conversion: Ruben De Vos.

SWD Eagles – Tries: Ruben Schoeman, Adri Jacobs (2), Kirsten Heyns. Conversion: Divan Nel.

Border Bulldogs 7 (7) Down Touch Griffons 40 (15)

Border Bulldogs – Try: Billy Dutton. Conversion: Aphiwe Stemele.

Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Anrich Alberts (3), Jean-Jacques Pretoruis, Duan Pretoruis, Nkululeko Marwana, Thato Mavundla. Conversion: Duan Pretoruis. Penalty Goal: Duan Pretoruis.

Leopards 35 (21) Hino Valke 41 (28)

Leopards – Tries: Dean Stokes (3), Lungelo Gosa, Marius Stander. Conversions: Schalk Hugo (5).

Hino Valke – Tries: Friedle Olivier, Anrich Richter, Etienne Taljaard, Grant Donavon Janke, Lundi Ralarala. Conversions: Anrich Richter (5). Penalty Goals: Anrich Richter. Drop Goal: Errol Jaggers.