Gardens stretched their unbeaten record to 10 matches when they beat champions Kruisfontein United 27-21 in a hard-fought Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby clash in Kariega on Saturday.
The only occasion Gardens have failed to pocket maximum points this season was when they were held to a 15-15 draw by Harlequins at the Adcock Stadium in April.
A fiercely determined Gardens showed their mettle when they overturned a 15-12 halftime deficit to keep their winning streak alive.
Saturday’s win at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium enabled Gardens to achieve a double over their arch-rivals in the league stage of the tournament.
When the teams met in a first-round clash in May, Gardens emerged narrow 28-21 winners after a hard-fought battle at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp.
Since then, Gardens have remained on the winning track thanks to a series of scintillating displays which have left them in a commanding position at the top of the log.
Gardens and Kruisfontein have dominated EP club rugby in recent seasons and a big crowd at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium were treated to a thrilling contest.
The clash was a rematch of the 2023 and 2024 Grand Challenge Cup finals, which both went down to the wire.
In the 2023 final, Kruisfontein were beaten 28-23 by Gardens at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but they had their revenge in the 2024 final when they beat the same opponents 24-18 at the Adcock Stadium.
After the previous match at the “Die Hok” was abandoned two weeks ago because of a crowd invasion, tight security measures were put in place to ensure Saturday’s match passed without incident.
Additional measures were put in place to ensure the safety of players, including fencing to enclose the playing field and additional law enforcement.
Gardens’ fine form goes behind the Grand Challenge and extends to the Patel tournament which was held in George during the Easter weekend,
The Kariega side rose to prominence on the national stage when they beat top teams Groot Brak, Bridgton and Robertson on their way to lifting the coveted trophy.
Before the clash, Gardens coach Julian Daniels said this season’s Top 12 was proving to be highly competitive.
“All the Top 12 teams are a threat to us,” he said.
“When they play Gardens, they bring their A-game, so that is a plus point.
'Every team poses danger because they are all playing the Top 12.
“In every game Gardens have to pitch up and we give 150%.”
There was drama at the Adcock Stadium when Harlequins clinched a thrilling 20-19 win over Progress.
The victory means that Harlequins bolstered their second-place position on the log.
Two weeks ago, Harlequins moved into second place on the Top 12 log behind Gardens when they beat Park 34-21 at Londt Park in Gqeberha.
It was a vital win for Harlequins, who are hot on the heels of unbeaten log leaders Gardens after wins over Trying Stars and Joubertina United in their previous two matches.
Third-placed Park were held to a 24-24 draw by Star of Hope at Londt Park.
When the teams met in the first round at the Javabu Stadium in KwaNobuhle, Park ran out convincing 29-16 winners.
Saturday’s results:
Top 12: United Barbarians 40 Brumbies 37, Gardens 27 Kruisfontein United 21, Park 24 Star of Hope 24, Trying Stars 8 Joubertina 10, Harlequins 20 Progress 19.
Middle 12: Spring Rose 25 Hankey Villagers 22, Evergreens 19 Central 12, Motherwell 17 Missionvale 15, Jeffreys Bay 36 Kirkwood 19, Kwaru 25 Despatch 17, Police/Crusaders 27 African Bombers 38.
Bottom 12: St Marks 22 Suburban 29, Middelburg Eagles 38 Aberdeen 29, Windvogel 24 Easterns 21, Kareedouw Tigers 22 Orlando Eagles 3, Helenvale United 19 Born Fighters 21.
The Herald
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