Big wins for free-scoring Leopards and Valke
The Leopards ran in nine tries to remain the only unbeaten side in the Absa Currie Cup First Division after they defeated the Down Touch Griffons 64-34 in their Saturday afternoon meeting in Potchefstroom.
In Kempton Park, Johannesburg, the Hino Valke delivered an equally impressive try feast as they ran in 12 tries to complete a comprehensive 72-12 win over the Boland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, the educated boot of South Western District Eagles flyhalf, Leighton Eksteen, was the difference between the two sides in their Friday evening clash against the Border Bulldogs in East London. Eksteen contributed 16 points with the boot in their 31-19 victory.
After eight rounds it is the Leopards in front with a maximum haul of 40 points, 16 points clear of the Valke (24), who in turn have two more than the Griffons (22). SWD (17), Boland (13) and Border (6) complete the standings.
Leopards (17) 64 Down Touch Griffons (13) 34
Flyhalf Schalk Hugo and wing Tyler Fischer both ran in two tries as the Leopards racked up nine tries thanks to an impressive second half spell. They lead just 17-13 at the break, but good attacking play in the second stanza clinched a comfortable win for the hosts in Potchefstroom.
Prop Johan Smith scored first for the Leopards and he was followed by Fischer who scored the first of his brace while centre Adriaan Engelbrecht added the rest with his boot. Flyhalf Franna du Toit kept Griffons within range with his books and No 8 Martin Sithole dotted down for a converted try.
The Leopards turned on the heat after the restart, which resulted in five tries in a menacing 20-minute spell. Engelbrecht missed just one of the five conversions to bring his total contribution to 17 points. Flanker Juan Language ran in the last of the hosts’ nine tries to finish a dominant performance.
Scorers:
Leopards: Tries: Johan Smith, Tyler Fischer (2), Schalk Hugo (2), Bart le Roux, Damian Engledoe, Adriaan Engelbrecht, Juan Language; Conversions: Engelbrecht (7), Tian Dorfling; Penalty: Engelbrecht.
Down Touch Griffons: Tries: Martin Sithole, Vuyo Mboto, Wynand Pienaar, Kwezi Mkhafu; Conversions: Franna du Toit (3), Wynand Pienaar; Penalties: Du Toit (2).
Hino Valke (31) 72 Boland Cavaliers (5) 12
The Valke clinched their bonus point within 20 minutes and scored five tries in the opening half at the Barnard Stadium. Outside centre Christopher Bosch opened the scoring and he was followed by left wing Ettienne Taljaard for the first of his brace. Flyhalf Anrich Richter joined the try feast and fullback Juan Kotze added two conversions. Lock Shane Kirkwood secured the bonus point halfway through the first half after a driving maul in the corner. Hooker Clemen Lewis barged his way over in the corner for Boland’s sole try reply.
Prop Andries Schutte, Taljaard, scrumhalf Johan Pretorius and centre Andries Truter added four more tries in the second half for the hosts. Boland captain and lock, Gavin Annandale, was yellow carded and replacement No 8 Theuns Botha scored their only second half try.
Scorers
Hino Valke – Tries: Etienne Taljaard (2), Shane Kirkwood (2), Andries Schutte, Andries Truter, Anrich Richter, Christopher Bosch, Johan Pretorius, JP Mostert; Conversions: Jaun Kotze (8).
Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Clemen Lewis, Theuns Botha; Conversion: Warren Seals.
Border Bulldogs (5) 19 SWD Eagles (13) 31
The boot of SWD flyhalf Leighton Eksteen was the difference between the two sides this entertaining match in East London on Friday. Eksteen slotted four penalties and two conversions.
In contrast, Border fullback Masixole Banda missed a penalty and a conversion. He did however scored try in the second half. SWD playmaker Eksteen dictated matters and he missed only one kick out of seven, a difficult one from the left touchline in the dying seconds of the game.
Scorers:
Border Bulldogs: Try: Buhle Mxunyelwa, Ntando Kebe, Masixole Banda; Conversion: Banda (2).
SWD Eagles: Try: Alshaun Bock, Mthangola Skosana (2). Penalties: Flyhalf Leighton Eksteen (4). Conversions: Eksteen (2).
The Absa Currie Cup First Division standings after eight rounds:
| TEAM | PLAYED | WON | LOST | DREW | POINTS FOR | POINTS AGAINST | POINTS DIFFERENCE | TRIES FOR | TRIES AGAINST | LOSS BONUS | TRIES BONUS | POINTS |
| Leopards | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 363 | 146 | 217 | 52 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 40 |
| Hino Valke | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 256 | 212 | 44 | 37 | 26 | 1 | 3 | 24 |
| Down Touch Griffons | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 278 | 258 | 20 | 39 | 36 | 1 | 5 | 22 |
| SWD Eagles | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 185 | 205 | -20 | 20 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Boland | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 169 | 334 | -165 | 23 | 46 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| Border | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 137 | 233 | -96 | 14 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
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