The EP Kings used the platform of two tries in the first 10 minutes of the match to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in the Absa U19 Provincial Championship with a 26-7 win over the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this afternoon.
By adding a further two tries in the second half, the Kings picked up a bonus point and ensured they would stay top of the log after the latest round of fixtures in the competition.
The Kings had the visitors under pressure from the start when they made inroads in the Sharks defence for flyhalf Michael Brink to take the final pass, racing through to score under the posts in the fourth minute.
Skipper Jeremy Ward signalled their intentions six minutes later when he refused a kick at goal following a penalty and instead asked Brink to set up a five-metre lineout on the Sharks line.
His decision was richly rewarded when, after a series of strong forward drives, hooker Thango Balekile forced his way over. A second conversion by Brink put EP in a strong position at 14-0 up.
The Sharks, however, refused to lie down and reduced the deficit when some sharp thinking by scrumhalf Willem Badenhorst saw him score from a quick tap after they forced a penalty in the Kings’ 22-metre area. Flyhalf Tristan Tedder added the conversion and that completed the scoring for the first half.
The Kings, although guilty of some unforced errors at times, applied most of the pressure in the second half and this finally paid off when No 8 Junior Pokomela made good ground to off-load to fullback Keanu Vers for a try in the righthand corner, splendidly converted by Brink from the touchline.
In the 52nd minute the Sharks suffered the setback of a red card when wing Tristan Blewett was sent off for punching.
The Kings made sure of victory when an accurate Brink kick forced the Sharks to carry the ball into touch and flank SF Nieuwoudt touched down as the home forwards produced a powerful and well-orchestrated maul from the ensuing lineout.
Brink, for once, missed the conversion and although the Sharks ended the game on attack, they were not able to again penetrate a committed Kings defence.
The point scorers were:
- EP Kings 26: Tries by Michael Brink, Thango Balekile, Keanu Vers, SF Nieuwoudt; three conversions by Brink.
- Sharks 7: Try by Willem Badenhorst; one conversion by Tristan Tedder.
Alan Straton
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