.gif)
The Boland Cavaliers and the Platinum Leopards both secured maximum points from their respective Absa Currie Cup promotion/relegation matches on Saturday.
www.iol.co.za
In Wellington, the hosts held their nerve and defeated First Division champions the Pumas 36-35 at the Boland Stadium, while in Potchefstroom the Leopards saw off the challenge from the SWD Eagles to earn a 47-42 win at Olen Park.
It was a weekend filled with plenty of tries that were scored by all four teams in both matches. Ten tries were scored in the clash between the Cavaliers and the Pumas in a match played in excellent conditions in Wellington. In the other game, eleven tries were scored.
“We’re happy with the victory, but there’s a lot of hard work that lies ahead for us if we are to continue playing in the Premier Division,” said Leopards coach Chaka Willemse.
“I think you can say that we knew already for the last few weeks that we would be playing in these promotion/relegation matches. It’s important now that we hold our heads and focus our attention on our next match which is not going to be easy in George.
“But the guys are confident and will be playing to stay in the Premier Division. I said all along that we would need to stay in the Premier Division for a couple of seasons before we got victories over some of the other unions. Hopefully on Friday we’ll achieve that.”
The Leopards ran in six tries to the five scored by the Eagles.
Jovan Bowles scored a brace of tries for the hosts. Shuaib Samaai, Danie Dames, Basil de Doncker and Theo van Wyk were the other try-scores for the Leopards. Flyhalf Cecil Dumond converted four of their six tries while also kicking three penalties.
Bobby Joubert, Dougie Hellmuth, Jandre Blom, Junior Leota and Baldwin McBean all added five-pointers for the Eagles. Flyhalf Ricardo Croy kicked three conversions and three penalties, while Blom converted his own try.
The Cavaliers scored a crucial 36-25 victory over the Pumas to increase their chances of remaining in the Premier Division next season.
Winger Wendal Wehr scored a try in the corner which was converted by fullback Justin Peach with eight minutes remaining in the match to give the hosts maximum points from the fixture.
The Pumas, however, take two valuable bonus points into the next match which will be played in Witbank on Friday night for scoring five tries and losing within seven points of the Cavaliers.
Zandré Jordaan scored a brace of tries for the Cavaliers while Marnus Hugo added the other five-pointer for the hosts.
Referee Jonathan Kaplan also awarded the Cavaliers a penalty try after he penalised the Pumas for an infringement at a maul five metres from their try line. Peach kicked four conversions and a penalty.
Allistair Kettledas scored two tries for the visitors while Hyron Thyse, Jacques Coetzee and Jaco Bouwer also added their names to the try-scoring sheet. Winger Braam Pretorius, who missed five kicks at goal, converted two tries and kicked two penalties. – Sapa
I just wish we could get one more really strong Province, was watching the Air NZ cup on Rugbyzone and there depth of class players really is incredible, that’s why I wish the Eastern Cape could come up with something, but I believe Tony Johnstone is spot on when he questions if we could actually be competitive.
Eagles against the Leopards in George starting in about 15 minutes time.
Ligtoring Landman plays lock for the leopards.
Perfect name for a lock.
Eagles just kicked off to get the game started.
First try to the eagles after just 35 seconds!!!
Bevan Fortuin scoring in the corner
Ricardo Croy kicks it over for another 2 points. Eagles lead 7-0 after a minute.
go Eagles
EAGLES
Penalty to the Leopards
The kick is short bu Du Mond though, scores stays 7-0 Eagles
Leopards attacking like crazy, but making a lot of mistakes. Keep giving the ball away with silly knock-ons.
Drop goal attempt from Ricardo Croy and its over almost from the half-way line!
Score now 10-0 to the eagles
Leopards have 70% of the possession so far, but making far to many mistakes.
Yellow card given to Nardus Lombard from the Leopards for dangerous play. Eagles get a penalty in front of the goalposts.
Croy puts the ball over. Eagle now lead 13-0.
Leopards down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
And the Eagles get their 2nd try. In the corner by Nelson.
Croy hits the upright, score 18-0 to the eagles
writing’s on the wall here… I wonder who Thabo Mamojele will be loaned out to next year?
Lombard back on the field for the Leopards. Back to 15 a pieace.
Penalty to the Leopards on SWD goal line
@mbayshark (Comment 19) : GOOD TIMES!
They kick for touch.
Again they loose the ball forward on attack. Scrum Eagles ball.
@BoetaC (Comment 24) : Looking good Boeta, looking good.
How many ‘log points’ do SWD need?
@McLovin (Comment 28) : They need a win without Leopards scoring any bonus points. Leopards have 5 points, SWD 2 at the moment.
Leopards just scored their first try. 18-5 now
Du Mondt puts the conversion over. Eagle now lead 18-7
Eagles back on the attack now.
Another drop goal, but not close.
Half time siren goes. Half-time 18-7 to the eagles
Ohhh no
Heaven help us if the Eagles beat the Leopards, its not that I dont like the Eagles but its just a reminder of how utterly thin our depth is. The Pumas absolutely destroyed these guys in their earlier games this year and now there may be a chance that they could be playing CC.
@mbayshark (Comment 29) : Thanks.
And the Leopards begin the 2nd half with the kick-off.
Penalty to the Eagles in Leopards 22
But they are tackle out after taking a quick tap.
Leopards line-out on their goal line, they get the ball and kick up to the half-way line
Another penalty to the eagles, they kick for touch up to the leopards 22
But loose the ball in the line-out. Leoprads ball
Leopards loose the ball again, while attacking in the eagles 22.
Penalty to the Leopards inside eagle half.
Cecil du Mondt will go for posts.
It hits the upright, not over.
Score still 18-7 to the eagles with 18 minutes to go.
Try to the pumas, Eagles lead down to 6 points. 18-12
Pumas = Leopards
The conversion is over, 18-14
Penalty to the eagles, they kick for the corner
Leopards get the ball though and kick the ball away. 4 minutes remaining
Eagles on the attack again.
OK, 2 quick tries for the Eagles, no more points for the Leopards.
Mbayshark, after the commentary, deserves to see the Sharks live mext year.
Go Eagles.
Full time. Eagles win 18-17, but it won’t be enough to take them to the premier division.
Pumas and Cavaliers playing in Witbank. Pumas lead 7-0 after 12 minutes
And the Pumas score their second try in the corner 12-0
oh man – that’s pretty heartbreaking!
@Salmonoid (Comment 54) : Jip but it did not happen
Will have to save up to go watch them in the tank.
Conversion missed, Pumas lead 12-0
Boland get a penalty and sets up the line-out in the Pumas 22
Another penalty to Boland in Puma 22
They will kick for posts
Justin Peach puts the kick over, Pumas lead 12-3
And the Pumas score again, but it will be referred.
Try is awarded to Pieter Meyer in the corner. Pumas get their 3rd try. They lead 17-3
Excellent kick from Braam Pretorius from the corner into the wind. 19-3
10 minutes to go in the 1st half. Pumas playing all the rugby at the moment.
And MJ Mentz go through for the Pumas 4th try.
Conversion is over. 26-3
So no million bucks for Boland it seems.
@mbayshark (Comment 59) :
And the same is happening to my annual Friday afternoon date with the Sharks against Boland at Wellington.
2 minutes to go in the 1st half, score still 26-3 to the pumas
@Salmonoid (Comment 72) : Not looking good. Just not our day.
who won the first game in this series?
And the halftime whistle goes. 26-3 pumas
@robdylan (Comment 75) : Boland won 36-35, but Pumas got 2 bonus points. Boland got one for 4 tries.
@mbayshark (Comment 74) :
Nope, I didnt have much hope for Boland, I saw the Pumas playing the other day and I was impressed. Jimmy Stonehouse is a good coach.
@mbayshark (Comment 77) :
Pumas were walking away with the game, then got clever in the second half and Boland nearly sneaked it.
@mbayshark (Comment 74) :
At least Rekinek will be happy, she gets to travel to Witbank.
ok, so they need to ensure Boland get fewer than two points
@Salmonoid (Comment 79) :
Correction, Boland did sneak it with a Justin Peach conversion into a strong wind.
@robdylan (Comment 81) : Yes they already have their 4-try bonus.
@Salmonoid (Comment 79) : Was just trying to figure it out.
Game is back on 3 minutes into the 2nd half.
Penalty to Boland in the Pumas 22, they tap and go. They go over the try line but ball is held up. Boland gets another penalty.
They tap and go but loose the ball forward. Scrum Pumas.
Penalty to the Pumas just inside their half.
Braam Pretorius goes for posts but its wayward, 26-3
Outa here, cheers peoples.
Another penalty to the Pumas, this time inside the Boland half.
@Salmonoid (Comment 90) : Cheers Salmanoid, have a good one.
Kick missed to the right.26-3
Penalty Boland they go for touch.
Another penalty to Boland in front of the posts.
They set up the line-out in the Pumas 22
@mbayshark (Comment 94) : u really really want that jersey, dont you?
go Pumas!
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 97) : What jersey?
Boland giving a penalty away after being in the Pumas 22 for 10 minutes, and now they have to try all over again. Back to the half-way line.
i see the Leopards stay in the premier league even though they lost, well done to them
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 100) : Yes they just needed the bonus point.
Score still 26-3, 15 minutes to go.
Brilliant try, created by MJ Mentz. Pumas lead 31-3
Conversion is over. 33-3
MJ Mentz stretchered off the field after hitting his head on the deck while tackled.
5 minutes to go. 33-3 to the pumas
Pumas score again under the posts. 38-3
Conversion over. 40-3. This is turning into a real hiding.
Full time. Pumas win 40-3 and goes into the premiership with Boland moving down.
@mbayshark (Comment 109) : Premier division
Pumas remain unbeaten at Witbank for the 2009 season. Lets see if they can do it next year.
@mbayshark (Comment 111) : it’s not entirely correct – if I remember correct they lost friendly to sharks at the beginning of the year. unless u do not count friendlies
@mbayshark (Comment 109) :
well done Pumas, let’s hope they can cause some upsets next year.
@mbayshark (Comment 55) : pity. though must say leopards looks entertaining at times – let’s give them a second chance.
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 112) : Probably should have said 2009 Currie Cup Season.
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 113) : Yes, the Pumas deserve to move up, they had a good season. They outclassed all the teams in the 1st devision.
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 114) : Would have loved to see another coastal side in the premier division though.
@mbayshark (Comment 117) : i do not have any particular favourites here – just going by which stadium is closer to joburg to see sharks game. from that perspective leopards and pumas win hands down
ound the corner 
missing valke a bit – they were just ar
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 118) : My problem as well, I live in the Southern cape. So everything is moving away from here. Closest game now is 400 kms away in Cape Town
@mbayshark (Comment 119) : that truly sucks – i guess you will be investing in a big tv.
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 120) : Guess I will have too.
DSTV not broadcasting the Wallabies vs NZ match today??
NZ leads 13 – 9. 5 min to go in the 1st half
Try by Sivivatu, conversion and 2 penalties by Carter against Giteau’s 3 penalty kicks
Half-time in Tokyo. 1 try a piece. Australia lead 16-13
Sivivatu got a yellow card for dangerous tackle in the 33rd minute
Mbay I concede defeat, a very cunning plan Congrats to you I am definitely not going to try and answer all this. well done!!
@Whindy (Comment 127) : Still a long day ahead Whindy
@mbayshark (Comment 128) : Are you watching the Aus vs NZ match?
I see NZ in the lead 23 to 16. 2 tries to 1
Free State in the lead 8-6 in their 1st of 3 finals. 12 min gone
All Blacks now lead 29-19, just a few minutes left in the game.
32-19
Full time in Tokyo NZ win the game 32-19
They also win the Bledisloe Cup 4-0
Cheetah u/19 leads 20-6. 6 min to go in the 1st half
Lions have had 3 yellow cards already!
Halftime Cheetahs lead 23-6
Lions just got their 4th yellow card!!! Cheetahs lead 28-6.
Lions now with a red card as well. 31-6 to the cheetahs
31-13 to the free state with 5 minutes to go in the match.
Try free state. 36-13
Conversion is kicked over. 38-13
And free state score again.
43-13
Conversion over. 45-13
And that’s the match. The Free State win their first final. Free State u/19′s win 45-13.
Was this not concluded now already?
@Hmmm (Comment 147) : check the date it was posted