VICTORY in the East Cape Derby was the highlight, but it was a tough u/18 Craven Week for Eastern Province this year.
The EP boys started their campaign at last week’s tournament in Krugersdorp on a winning note, by beating their provincial neighbour, Border, 24–14.
The tournament organisers showed EP no favours by matching them up with the mighty Western Province in the second match.
WP was the standout team this year and beat EP 66–14. Boland beat EP 35–22 in the last match this past Saturday.
EP wasn’t disgraced at all in their three matches, and at times played some high quality rugby. They showed a fighting spirit and never gave up trying.
There were unfortunately periods when they lost concentration, and when their defence and on-field discipline let them down.
One must remember that it was very difficult for the coaching staff to properly prepare the squad due to a number of factors.
A huge setback was when planned warm-up matches were cancelled after heavy rains.
Against Border a huge score looked on the cards when EP started with an excellent first half.
They put pressure on Border straight away and converted that pressure into points, scoring some great tries in the process.
EP couldn’t keep up the good work and lost shape in the second half, when substitutions were made.
They did enough though to secure a well-deserved victory. Josh McKenzie (Kingswood, lock) was the star of the match.
WP was just in a different class, but EP showed what they are capable of in a short period before the half-time when they scored 14 points.
EP started the match against Boland playing with confidence and freedom, but then poor defence and a lack of discipline cost them dearly.
They did fight back strongly in the second half and made Boland work hard for victory.
There was good news for EP when Sipho Nonyelela (Kingswood, flank) was selected for the South African Schools A side.
Patdro Somerset of Arcadia SSS in Gqeberha has been named as the assistant coach.
Nonyelela and McKenzie weren’t the only EP players who caught the eye with their play.
Jan-Theo van Tonder (Volkskool), Munangi Kamwendo and Ike Ukukwe (both Kingswood), and Xanto Pongolo (Grey) also performed solidly.
EP did very well at the Academy Week in Johannesburg. They drew 38–38 with the Sharks, beat WP 25–24, and just ran out of steam in the main match against the Lions. The hosts won 46–22.
The Pearson (Gqeberha) scrumhalf, Denillo Jordaan, was named player of the match against the Sharks, a game EP was desperately unlucky not to have won.
Bergsig (Kariega) lock, Tyrese Brouers, was the player of the match in the WP match.
Brouers kept up his tremendous work rate in another strong showing against the Lions.
