The NMU Madibaz showed they have the firepower needed to mount a late surge for honours in the Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby competition when they beat Park 35-26 on Saturday.
The students have endured a disjointed start to the season because of their involvement in the Varsity Cup playoffs and their participation in the University Sports SA tournament in Makhanda.
This forced them to concede matches and slide down the league table after their opponents were awarded walkover wins.
Park had been hoping to put the heartache of a 26-25 loss to Kruisfontein United last week behind them, but they were unable to subdue a spirited Madibaz side.
The Madibaz made a fast start to the game and enjoyed a healthy 20-7 lead at halftime in a lively contest with the students opting to give the ball air.
It was a vital match for both teams who needed the log points on offer to bolster their log positions as the competition nears the playoff stage.
Park started the day in sixth spot on the log with 30 points after 12 matches and the Madibaz were ninth with 24 points from 10 outings.
The Londt Park side are losing ground in the race for a semifinal berth and will be planning to get back on the winning track when they face Harlequins at the Adcock Stadium on Saturday.
The students will be keen to build on this win when they travel to Alexandria to face Trying Stars in a game likely to produce fireworks.
In 2022, the students reached the Grand Challenge final where they were beaten 23-15 by Progress at the De Wet Stadium in Despatch.
After a narrow escape against Park last week, Kruisfontein bolstered their lead at the top of the table with a convincing 45-14 win over Central.
Kruisfontein remain unbeaten at home and will fancy their chances of maximum points when they face bottom-of-the-log Hankey Villagers on Saturday.
Second-placed Progress stayed in touch with the leaders when they recorded an important 19-12 win over Brumbies In Makhanda.
Champions Gardens continued their bright start to the second round when they beat Trying Stars 36-12 in Kariega.
Gardens, after an indifferent start which saw them losing five of their opening 11 matches, will be looking to build up a head of steam before they represent EP at the national Gold Cup tournament which kicks off in September.
In one of the most exciting games of the day, Harlequins snatched a 25-22 win over Joubertina United in a game that went down to the wire.
Thanks to their victory Harlequins moved into the top four.
Despatch Oostelikes moved out of the relegation zone after an exciting 27-24 win over Hankey Villagers at the Daleview Sports Field.
The win enabled Oostelikes to leapfrog Central who were beaten by Kruisfontein.
Results:
Top 12: Despatch Oostelikes 27 Hankey Villagers 24, Park 26 NMU Madibaz 35, Kruisfontein United 45 Centra 14, Brumbies 12 Progress 19, Joubertina 22 Harlequins 25, Gardens 36 Trying Stars 13.
Saturday's fixtures:
Top 12: Progress v Despatch Oostelikes, Central v Gardens, Brumbies v Joubertina United, Hankey Villagers v Kruisfontein United, Trying Stars v NMU Madibaz, Harlequins v Park.
Middle 12: Kirkwood v Born Eagles, Despatch v Motherwell, Spring Rose v Missionvale, Star of Hope v Jeffreys Bay, Suburban v United Barbarians, Kwaru v Evergreens.
Bottom 12: Excelsior v St Marks (Alicedale), Police/Crusaders v Aberdeen, St Marks (Gqeberha) v Kareedouw Tigers, Orlando Eagles v Windvogel, African Bombers v Lily White, Easterns v Adelaide Rangers.
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