The Regent Boland Cavaliers overturned a half-time deficit on their way to a 22-17 (half-time 12-14) win over the SWD Eagles in their Absa Currie Cup First Division match at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.
Boland, who found themselves two points down at the break, scored the only try of the second half, through lock JC Astle, to complete something of an upset considering that they were playing away from home and against a team coming off a win.
The Eagles, who beat Border in their opening match of the season, were outscored three tries to two and needed a 74th minute penalty from inside centre Jeff Taljard just to secure a bonus point for losing by less than seven points.
Boland, who were coming off a 45-17 hammering at the hands of the Leopards, opened the scoring on a cold and clear night in the ninth minute when inside centre Braam Gerber steamed in for a converted try.
However, the Eagles seemed to take control of the contest as the moved into a 14-7 lead after 26 minutes thanks to tries from flank Christo du Plessis and in-form left wing Alshaun Bock.
Taljard converted both tries but just as it looked as if the Eagles would go to the break with a handy lead the Cavaliers struck back on the stroke of half-time when eighthman Zandre Jordaan rumbled over for an unconverted try.
Boland regained the lead eight minutes after the restart thanks to a penalty from flyhalf Len Olivier before Astle scored what turned out to be the decisive try in the contest as the match entered the final quarter.
The Eagles found themselves trailing 22-14 and their only points in the second half came courtesy of Taljard’s late penalty.
SCORERS
SWD Eagles – Tries: Christo du Plessis, Alshaun Bock; Conversions: Jeff Taljard (2); Penalty: Taljard.
Regent Boland Cavaliers – Try: Braam Gerber, Zandre Jordaan, JC Astle; Conversions: Len Olivier (2); Penalty: Olivier.
Source: Supersport
