Missed opportunities cost the Kings
Friday night’s Round 3 ABSA Currie Cup match between the EP Kings and Steval Pumas lived up to the expectation of going down to the wire, as only two points separated the teams after the final whistle.
The teams exchanged early penalties, before Pumas’ JC Roos added a second penalty as they took a 6 – 3 half-time lead.
The Kings had a few opportunities in the first half to take the lead, as a try five minutes before the break was disallowed after an off the ball incident turned into a yellow card.
Kings’ fullback Scott van Breda levelled the scores after an early second half penalty, but Roos kicked a third penalty to regain the lead in the fifty sixth minute, 9 – 6.
The Kings had more chances during the second half, but over eagerness and a few passes not going to hand let them down at the best of times.
As the match reached it’s final quarter the Kings capitalized on a strong drive close to the tryline as replacement Lizo Gqoboka crashed over to score the Kings’ first try. Scott van Breda added the extras to take the lead for the first time, 13 – 9.
Discipline led the Kings down during the final stages as Roos brought his team within a single point, 12 – 13, with fifteen minutes to go.
The Pumas threw everything at the Kings during the closing minutes as they camped in their twenty two. A poor clearance down field from replacement scrumhalf Kevin Luiters eventually resulted in a penalty on the Kings’ ten metre line. Roos stepped up to kick his fifth and match winning penalty.
Kings’ van Breda had an opportunity to win it for the Kings, but his attempt from halfway was slightly off target as the game ended 15 – 13 in favour of the visitors.
Scorers:
EP Kings (3) 13 – Try: Lizo Gqoboka. Convertion: Scott van Breda. Penalties: van Breda (2)
Pumas (6) 15 – Penalties: JC Roos (5)
Written by Pierre Mc Leod
