The postponement of Saturday’s top-of-the-table club rugby clash between Gardens and Harlequins because of gang-related threats enabled rival clubs to close the gap on the log leaders.
With the Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge table toppers kicking their heels on the sidelines, Park and Progress continued to keep snapping at their heels with vital wins.
Progress romped to a 45-14 win over United Barbarians and Park registered a vital 29-12 win over Trying Stars at Londt Park.
Champions Kruisfontein United, however, continued to lose ground in a race for a playoff berth when they were beaten 48-25 by the NMU Madibaz at the campus.
The loss is another blow for Kruisfontein, who were held to a 17-17 draw by Trying Stars in their last outing in Alexandria.
The Madibaz, who have returned to action after a midseason break to write exams, have been in top form and their win over Kruisfontein followed a thumping 50-7 victory over United Barbarians.
After the completion of Saturday’s games, Gardens still lead the log with 53 points from 12 outings, while Harlequins are on 47 points from the same number of matches.
Despatch Oostelikes’ bid to avoid relegation to the Middle 12 Division suffered another blow when they slumped to a narrow 17-14 loss against Joubertina United.
The defeat means winless Oostelikes remain at the bottom of the log with only five points to their name after 13 outings.
In a high-scoring match played in Makhanda, Star of Hope beat the Brumbies 37-27.
All eyes will be on the EP boardroom on Monday and Wednesday when hearings are held into outstanding Top 12 matches.
On Monday, an inquiry will continue into the derby clash between Gardens and Progress in Kariega, which was abandoned after a crowd invasion on June 21.
A report by referee Aphiwe Mfana on what transpired during the final five minutes of the match is expected to be a focal point of the inquiry.
The invasion came after Gardens scored a late try to level a thrilling game at 13-13.
Progress are disputing whether the try was awarded and claim the score was 13-8 in their favour when the teams left the field.
When pandemonium broke out, referee Mfana left the field before the conversion could be taken.
On Wednesday, Progress and Harlequins officials argue their case in the matter of a postponed first-round match.
With the race for playoff berths expected to be tightly contested, the clubs will present strong arguments to the committee to gain a favourable ruling and precious log points.
The game between the sides should have been played at the Central Field in Kariega on May 24 but was called off at the last minute because of construction work being carried out at the venue.
It was then decided to play the game as an outstanding fixture at the Daleview Sports Ground in Despatch, but it was postponed again after Harlequins appealed, claiming they should be awarded a victory.
Harlequins informed EP they were uncomfortable playing the fixture because they believed they should be awarded the full five log points as Progress should have found an alternative venue on May 24.
Saturday’s results:
Top 12: Brumbies 27 Star of Hope 37, United Barbarians 14 Progress 45, Despatch Oostelikes 14 Joubertina United 17, Gardens vs Harlequins (postponed), Park 29 Trying Stars 12, NMU Madibaz 48 Kruisfontein United 25. Outstanding matches: Progress v Harlequins (appeals), United Barbarians v Despatch Oostelikes (disciplinary committee), Gardens v Progress (inquiry).
Middle 12: Hankey Villagers 39 Police/Crusaders 5, Motherwell 24 Kwaru 11, Kirkwood 30 Spring Rose 12, Missionvale 22 Jeffreys Bay 22, Evergreens vs Despatch (cancelled), Central vs African Bombers (postponed).
Bottom 12: Suburban 24 Helenvale United 19, Windvogel United 18 Kareedouw Tigers 45, Orlando Eagles 31 St Marks 15, Middelburg Eagles 43 Lily White 3, Aberdeen v Born Fighters (cancelled), Easterns vs Adelaide Rangers (no result received).
The Herald
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