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George - The SWD Eagles have needed a last-gasp drop-goal from
flyhalf Karlo Aspeling to edge out the EP Kings 23-21 in
their Vodacom Cup South Section match at Outeniqua Park in George on
Friday.
The visitors led 9-6 at the half-time interval.
Aspeling nailed the winning drop-goal with just two minutes left in the contest as the Eagles completed a fine comeback after they had found themselves trailing by 15 points with 11 minutes left in the match.
The hosts needed converted tries from left wing Alshaun Bock and replacement hooker Wayne Khan to set up Aspeling who kept his cool under enormous pressure as SWD claimed the narrow win.
The win kept SWD in the hunt for a playoff place as they moved into second place in the log although the two teams immediately below them, the Free State XV and Western Province, both have a game in hand.
The first half had been dominated by the boot with the Kings edging the first 40 minutes thanks to three penalties from fullback Masixole Banda while Aspeling kicked two penalties for the home team.
The second-half produced some thrilling rugby and the visitors could have been forgiven for thinking that they had the match won as they raced in to a 21-6 lead after 59 minutes as No 8 Ivan-John Du Preez crashed over for a converted try before flyhalf Ntabeni Dukisa crossed for an unconverted score.
However, SWD broke the match wide open when Bock dotted down in the 69th minute.
Khan rumbled over with four minutes remaining before Aspeling sealed the win with his last-gasp heroics as the Kings slipped to their fourth defeat in five matches.
Scorers
SWD Eagles - Tries: Alshaun Bock, Wayne Khan;
Conversions: Karlo Aspeling (2); Penalties: Aspeling (2), Drop goal:
Aspeling
EP Kings - Tries: Ivan-John Du Preez, Ntabeni Dukisa; Conversion: Masixole Banda; Penalties: Banda (3)
