Before the final game against the Blue Bulls at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, the EP Kings Under 19 Team captain, Jeremy Ward, had some prophetic words to say; “At the beginning of the season we set our goals and the team knew that if we really wanted to achieve something we would have to go out and win this competition, So, the team has really put everything in it, game in and game out we tried hard and fought hard in every minute of every game to try and achieve something great and now the opportunity for greatness is right in front of us.”
With their one and only loss in this tournament to the Blue Bulls, the Under 19 Squad could expect a difficult game away and at altitude and a win would send an emphatic signal of greatness to the rugby world.
A missed penalty by Tinus De Beer of the Blue Bulls in the 68th minute handed the EP Kings a deserved victory of 25 -23 after leading 13 -6 at half time.
The EP Kings scored three tries to the Blue Bulls two and were the first on the board after a try from Captain Jeremy Ward in the 9th minute converted by Michael Brink.
The Blue Bulls were quick off the mark in the second half when Gavin van den Berg scored two minutes in. Five minutes later after another try and conversion by Tinus de Beer it looked like the EP Kings Under 19’s were in trouble as the Blue Bulls moved ahead.
Another Jeremy Ward try and conversion by Michael Brink moved the EP Kings to level pickings again (20-20) in the 45th minute.
A Blue Bulls penalty put them out front by three points and a missed drop goal and penalty sealed second place in the competition for the Blue Bulls whilst a try from Mabhutana Peter sealed the win for the EP Kings Under 19 Rugby Squad.
Scorers:
- Eastern Province U19 – Conversion: Michael Brink (2); Penalty: Michael Brink (2); Tries: Jeremy Ward (2) and Mabhutana Peter (1)
- Blue Bulls U19 – Conversion: Tinus de Beer (2); Penalty: Tinus de Beer (3); Tries: Gavin van den Berg (1) and Tinus de Beer (1)
Teams:
- Eastern Province U19: 1. Gregory Jackson, 2. Tango Balekile, 3. Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 4. Rob Lyons, 5. Lusanda Badiyana, 6. Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 7. Hayden Tharratt, 8. Junior Pokomela, 9. James Hall, 10. Michael Brink, 11. Athi Mayinje, 12. Jeremy Ward (Captain), 13. Yamkela Nyalambisa, 14. Mabhutana Peter, 15. Keanu Vers. Replacements: 16. Masikane Mazwi, 17. Xandre Vos, 18. Matthew Howes, 19. Wihan Coetzer, 20. Xolisa Matshoba, 21. Sibusiso Ngcokovane, 22. Garrick Mattheus, 23. Dominik Uytenbogaardt
- Blue Bulls U19: 1. Gavin van den Berg, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 3. Jaco Holtzhausen, 4. Samuel Mitchell, 5. Eli Snyman, 6. Arnold Gerber, 7. JD Fourie, 8. Denzel Hill, 9. Stephan Enslin, 10. Tinus de Beer (Captain), 11. Divan Rossouw, 12. Franco Naude, 13. JT Jackson, 14. Coneree Poole, 15. Kurt Webster. Replacements: 16. Jungqo Hennings, 17. Kgetho Mabokela, 18. Hendre Stassen, 19. Luigy van Jaarsveld, 20. Dale Hendricks, 21. Ruan de Beer, 22. Tshepiso Mahasha, 23. Rohan Goosen
Images from the EP Kings Under 19 Blue Bulls Final:
Posted by Taswil Images on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Alan Straton
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What SARU had to say about the EP Kings Under 19 win: Eastern Province won the Absa Under-19 competition when they edged the Vodacom Blue Bulls 25-23 in the final. It was the first ever title for the Eastern Cape youngsters, nowadays coached by former Springbok Sevens star Mzandile Stick.