Gardens edge Robertson in 29-28 thriller

GEORGE NEWS - Gardens from Kariega (Uitenhage) pulled off a huge upset as they became the first winners of the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup after beating crowd favourites and Boland Top 12 Champions Robertson Town 29-28 at Outeniqua Park Stadium on Monday 21 April.

The final day’s games were played in wet conditions, which made it difficult for the teams to showcase their talents, but it certainly did not curb their enthusiasm to run with a wet and heavy ball.

In the first game of the day, St George made amends for a poor performance on day 2 as they beat Groot Brak 33-10 after leading 14-7 at the half-time break.

The Helderberg-based Western Province Super League A team used a smart strategy by picking a strong bench of usual starters that included hooker and captain Haroon Adams, causing Groot Brak to totally fall apart.

Jaco Michaels, Heidelberg's agile lock, fights for the ball against a Safcol player on a wet rugby field. Photo: MRREE Studios

Meanwhile, Safcol United also had too much class for Heidelberg in the plate final, as no 8 Bongeni Booysen put on a man-of-the-match performance in a convincing 33-8 win.

And in a tight clash for third place, Bridgton beat Port Elizabeth Harlequins 25-15 as the rain started pouring down heavily.

Nevertheless, the wet and cold conditions could not dampen the supporters of Robertson Town and Gardens ahead of a much-anticipated final.

Gardens made a quick start as Donlic Natal scored the opening try inside the first five minutes before Robertson replied through a Lindsay Eksteen five-pointer to tie things back up at seven all.

The men from Kariega retook the lead with a second unconverted score, but Robertson would hit the sheds at half-time in the lead with 14-12 after scoring their second converted try.

Robertson Town's scrum half, Isaiah Davids, fires off a perfect pass to keep the attack alive in muddy conditions. Photo: MRREE Studio

However, the scoreboard swung back in Gardens’ favour as they started the second half like they did the first by crossing the whitewash within two minutes after the restart, and four minutes later they stretched their lead to eight points with their fourth five-pointer of the game.

But two Colin Willemse penalties saw Robertson cut Gardens’ lead to just two points with just under 30 minutes left to play.

Gardens are, however, known for being a dangerous counter-attacking team and showed why they should never be given too much space after an aimless kick by Robertson led to a score in the left-hand corner, with the conversion taking the score to 29-20.

There was still more than enough time left for Robertson to try and win the game, and after Freginald Africa scored the Boland side’s third try and Willemse converted, it was down to the wire as Robertson launched an all-out attack through powerful pick-and-go carries by their forwards.

With time up on the clock, their relentlessness was rewarded with a penalty, and all Willemse had to do was put the ball between the uprights for Robertson to win. But the fly-half did the unthinkable, hitting the right-hand upright.

After a scramble on a muddy Outeniqua Park field, Robertson regained the ball and relaunched an attack, but a perfect steal by Gardens saw them rewarded with a penalty to kick for touch and be crowned the inaugural EPCC champions.

Gardens centre Natal also capped off the perfect weekend after winning a third straight man of the match award, and walked away with the backline player of the tournament and player of the tournament awards, too.

Robertson’s Marco Jones won the forward player of the tournament award, as the Boland side also won the team spirit award for the most enthusiastic fans and good sportsmanship.

Jason Liebenberg from Heidelberg (with ball) breaks away from the St George's defenders. Photo: Kristy Kolberg