It ended all square when Harlequins and Gardens played out a thrilling 15-15 draw in a nail-biting Score Energy Drink EPRU Top 12 club rugby clash at the Adcock Stadium on Saturday.
The big crowd were kept on the edge of their seats throughout an absorbing encounter after Harlequins held a narrow 12-5 halftime lead.
Though both teams will be happy to have maintained unbeaten records, they will be disappointed they were unable to claim full points on a day when champions Kruisfontein United had a bye.
After earning a hard-fought 22-28 away win over United Barbarians in their opening game, Quins had been planning to make it back-to back wins on home soil at the Adcock Stadium.
A revamped Harlequins side, however, had to be satisfied with sharing the spoils after an uncompromising showdown in which neither team took a backward step.
With their confidence growing, few would bet against Harlequins maintaining their unbeaten record when they face Grahamstown Brumbies on the road in round three on Saturday.
Gardens, who overcame Trying Stars 22-8 in their opening match at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Kariega, will take several positives out of the drawn encounter.
They have a bye before their next outing against Park at Londt Park on May 3.
Newly crowned EC Super 14 champions Progress trounced newly promoted United Barbarians 78-0 in a one-sided clash at the Central Field in Kariega.
Progress, who led 36-0 halftime, kept up relentless pressure on the visitors throughout the 80 minutes of what proved to be a mismatch.
All eyes will be on the Sport Complex in Humansdorp on Saturday when in-form Progress lock horns with defending champions Kruisfontein United.
Last week Kruisfontein were made to fight all the way before they edged newly promoted Star of Hope 39-34 in a tense clash.
Park, who had a bye last week, kicked off their campaign with an impressive 30-17 win over Trying Stars in Alexandria.
Stars are never an easy team to beat on the home field, and Park will be in a confident mood when they travel to Patensie to take on United Barbarians in round three.
Newly promoted Star of Hope pocketed valuable log points when they beat Grahamstown Brumbies 24-15 at the Jabavu Stadium in KwaNobuhle.
Despatch Oostelikes slumped to their second defeat of the season when they were beaten 33-31 by Joubertina United.
Kruisfontein have a bye this weekend because the NMU Madibaz are still involved in the FNB Varsity Shield competition.
Top 12 teams will have the dreaded relegation axe hanging over their heads in 2025.
The bottom two clubs at the end of the season will move down to the Middle 12 division.
The prospect of being sent down to a lower division will ensure drama at both ends of the league table until the last day of the season.
Results:
Top 12: Star of Hope 24 Grahamstown Brumbies 15, Joubertina United 33 Despatch Oostelikes 31, Progress 78 United Barbarians 0, Harlequins 15 Gardens 15, Trying Stars 17 Park 30. Kruisfontein United bye.
Saturday’s fixtures:
Top 12: United Barbarians vs Park, Despatch Oostelikes vs Trying Stars, Grahamstown Brumbies vs Harlequins, Kruisfontein United vs Progress, Star of Hope vs Joubertina United. Gardens bye.
The Herald
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