On-fire Despatch Oostelikes roared to the top spot in Group B of the EP conference of the EC Super 14 club rugby competition when they scored a vital 23-15 win over arch-rivals Trying Stars at Daleview on Saturday.
In a shortened version of the tournament, with only three group matches before the regional playoffs, Oostelikes now have one foot in the quarterfinals.
After quarterfinal playoffs within the EP and Border conferences, the semifinals will be cross-border affairs.
Thanks to a win on the road over former champions Progress in the opening round, Oostelikes have laid solid foundations for a successful campaign.
Stars will be looking to march into the playoffs in style when they host Hankey Villagers at their Daleview fortress in their final group match on Saturday.
This is one of several key matches planned for Saturday and capacity crowds are expected to watch teams make last-ditch efforts for playoff berths.
Rated as outsiders before the tournament kicked off, Oostelikes are in red-hot form and will strike fear into the hearts of whoever they meet in the latter stages of the competition.
In the other Group B fixture, former champions Progress know nothing less than a win over Hankey Villagers on the road will be enough to keep the title hopes alive after losing on the opening day.
Showing the fighting spirit expected of champions, Progress bounced back with a hard-fought 17-9 win over Hankey Villagers.
Last season’s beaten Super 14 finalists Kruisfontein United took charge of Group A when they beat Gardens 30-8 at the Central Field in Kariega.
This win will have given Kruisfontein a great deal of satisfaction because Gardens beat them in the 2023 EPRU Grand Challenge final at the NMU Stadium.
After both teams lost their opening-round matches, the stakes were high for Harlequins and Park in a pivotal Group A clash at the Adcock Stadium.
Much to the delight of their home supporters, Harlequins turned on the style to thrash Park 61-22.
This has set the scene for a massive showdown on Saturday when Harlequins host Gardens in their final group game.
After beating powerhouses Progress in their opening match, Oostelikes coach Mervin Samuels said his team’s morale had been boosted.
'As is the case with all the clubs, Oostelikes have ambitions for the new season,” Samuels said.
“During the off-season we put some goals and objectives in front of the players.
“One of our goals in 2023 was to make sure we competed in the Super 14.
“This team does not want to be in the Super 14 just to make up the numbers.
“Oostelikes want to reach the playoff stage and then try to carry that momentum to the EPRU Grand Challenge league which will kick off after Super 14.
“I would say one of our strengths is our defence system and we put a lot of energy and effort into that in our preparation to make sure we are ready.
“I can warn visiting teams no points will be given away easily in Daleview.”
Super 14 champions EP Police continued on their winning ways when they registered a convincing 38-25 win over Ncera Leopards in a Border conference clash.
Saturday’s results:
EP Conference: Gardens 8 Kruisfontein United 30, Harlequins 61 Park 22, Despatch Oostelikes 23 Trying Stars 15, Hankey Villagers 9 Progress 17
Border Conference: Ncera Leopards 25 EL Police 38, Berlin Tigers 10 Moonlight 22, Swallows 13 Young Leopards 41, Komga United 3 Old Selbornians 15.
Saturday's third-round fixtures:
EP Conference: Harlequins v Gardens (Adcock), Park v Kruisfontein (Londt Park), Despatch Oostelikes v Hankey Villagers (Daleview), Trying Stars v Progress (Alexandria).
Border Conference: Moonlight v Ncera Leopards, EL Police v Berlin Tigers, Young Leopards v Komga United, Old Selbornians v Swallows.
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