MyPE

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So how do you keep talking a losing team up?

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At a lunch, hosted by Johnson Controls earlier this week talk amongst the scribes turned to just how much longer we have to continue talking up a team with a pretty dismal record in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup. That is if losing every game can be called a record!

Just what is the opposite of record?

The first 13 minutes of the final Premier Division game between the EP Kings and Steval Pumas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, were not too shabby for the EP Kings who boasted most of the possession and gained 3 meaningful penalties – the first one was kicked miss for poles, the second kicked for touch and lost to the Pumas. The third one was the bomb though, after the Pumas’ Lubablo Mtyanda received a Yellow card in the 11th minute we saw Tobie Botes cross for the first points on the board and the EP Kings were ahead by 5 points after a missed conversion.

A quick reply from the Pumas saw Justin van Staden slot three points from a penalty on the Kings 22 to bring them within two points at 5-3.

Good scrumming from the EP Kings in the 18th minute drove the Pumas back in fine style, only for the Kings to be penalised at the next one and driven back 25 metres for a lineout.

Some brilliant chasing by Tobie Botes and the ball went smartly along the line to Ronnie Cook who crashed over for try number two. Gary van Aswegen converted and pushed the Kings to 12-3.

The Pumas got their second yellow card after a high tackle by Pumas number 11, Roscoe Spekman which the Kings smartly converted into their third try of the first half with Paul Schoeman taking the honours and Gary van Aswegen converting to put the EP Kings in the lead 19-3 after 29 minutes.

Inj the 35th minute the Pumas broke through to see hooker, Frankie Herne worm his way over the white for 5 points. The conversion by Justin van Staden brought the Pumas within 9 points of the Kings at 19-10.

With seconds to go a quick take penalty by Rosko Speckman saw the Kings rattled and created a breat opportunity for Justin van Staden who scored under the poles for the Pumas. A quick self conversion and the Pumas ended the 1st half 2 points shy of the EP Kings at 19-17.

In the 4th minute of the second half a great break by Rosco Specman and some aerial passing and barging on the tryline resulted in a lengthy TMO before the try was finally awarded to Stefan Watermeyer. A failed conversion and the Pumas moved into the lead for the first time in the game. EP Kings 19 – 22 Pumas.

First points of the 2nd half came after 15 minutes from the boot of Justin van Staden who slotted an easy penalty in front of the EP Kings poles to increase the Pumas lead by 6 points.

34 minutes into the second half and after some nail biting play which saw the Pumas almost break through only to lose the ball to the Kings – a quick chip ahead saw Scott van Breda judge the bounce perfectly for the 5 pointer. A scorcher of a conversion from Gary van Aswegen and the Kings moved to one point ahead.

And there it stayed until the final hooter despite some spirited attacking and nail biting moves from a fired up team enjoying the full support of a 4 584 strong crowd grateful to witness the local team winning their final game of the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division.

Final Score: EP Kings 26 – 25 Steval Pumas.

Now maybe that is why we continue to talk the EP Kings up year after year – that one win is the one that always gives hope.

Scorers:

  • EP Kings 26 (19): Tries – Tobie Botes, Ronnie Cook, Paul Schoeman, Scott van Breda. Conversions – Gary van Aswegen (3)
  • Steval Pumas 25 (17): Tries – Frankie Herne, Justin van Staden, Stefan Watermeyer. Conversions – Justin van Staden (3). Penalties – Justin van Staden.

Man of the match: Shane Gates (EP Kings)

Twiiteractions:

I think the first tweet below by Andrew Hollely about sums up the dilemma that we have over being drawn into ‘talking up ‘ a losing team ……..  To be able to support a local team brings pride and a sense of belonging.

https://twitter.com/shobzlvr/status/520666733624184832

https://twitter.com/JudgeRugby/status/520649404391624704

https://twitter.com/Jacasport/status/520647955960041472

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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.