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Eastern Province break 37 year drought to be crowned top team

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Eastern Province on Saturday finished the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week as the unofficial champions for the first time in 37 years following a 25-7 victory against SWD in the final match at HTS Middelburg.

The Port Elizabeth side last won the final match of the tournament in 1977 against Western Province.

EP were in fantastic form in the final match as they capitalised on their chances and put their bodies on the line on defence against SWD to remain one of two unbeaten teams in the competition.

Eastern Province forced their way through the determined SWD defence twice in the first half, while flyhalf Curwin Bosch slotted over two penalties to build up a morale-boosting 20-0 lead at the break.

They added another try two minutes into the second half to extend their lead to 25-0. Despite this SWD fought back with intent and spent several minutes in Eastern Province’s half, but their efforts bore only one try as the Eastern Province’s tenacious defence held.

Final Score: Eastern Province 25 (20) and SWD 7 (0).

Scorers:

  • SWD – Try: Domenic Donevan Smit. Conversion: John Thomas Jackson.
  • Eastern Province – Tries: Athi Mayinje, Johann van Niekerk, Stephanus Nieuwoudt. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2). Penalties: Curwin Bosch (2).

A mega images gallery for a mega win:

Erich de Jager
Erich de Jager attacks. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
Rouche Nel
Rouche Nel breaks away. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
Athenkosi Mayinje
Athenkosi Mayinje attacks. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
EP u18 Celebrates
EP celebrates at the final whistle during day 5 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/18 at HTS Middelburg. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
Junior Pokomela
Junior Pokomela gets lifted in the tackle during day 5 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/18 at HTS Middelburg EP and SWD. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
Heino Bezuidenhout
Man of the Match from EP Heino Bezuidenhout. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
EP u18 Winners
2014 Craven Week Winners, Eastern Province, celebrate after beating SWD 25-7 at HTS Middelburg on July 19, 2014 in Middelburg, South Africa. Photo: by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images.
Curwin Bosch dives over for his try during day 2 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/18 at HTS Middelburg between Blue Bulls and EP on 15 July 2014. Photo: Gallo Images
Curwin Bosch dives over for his try during day 2 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/18 at HTS Middelburg between Blue Bulls and EP on 15 July 2014. Photo: Gallo Images
Keanu Vers
Man of the Match, Keanu Vers (Grey High School) kicks ahead during day 4 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/18 at HTS Middelburg between EP and Free State on 17 July 2014. Photo: Gallo Images/Duif du Toit
Lance Smith
Lance Smith of EP evades Rewan Kruger of the Free State during day 1 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/16 match between Free State and Eastern Province at Tshwane University. Photo: Gallo/Lee Warren
Yomelela Keswa
Yomelela Keswa of E.P against Pumas day 1 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week Academy at HTS Drostdy on July 07, 2014 in Worcester, South Africa. Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
Sibabalwe Mzanywa
Sibabalwe Mzanywa of EP during day 2 of the Coca-Cola Craven Week U/16 match between Eastern Province and Pumas at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria. Photo: Gallo Images / Lee Warren
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.