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Cape Town - Makazole Mapimpi scored 24 points as the Border Bulldogs ended their Vodacom Cup campaign on a high with a 29-5 (halftime 19-0) South Section victory over the Boland Cavaliers at the University of Fort Hare on Saturday.
The enigmatic left winger scored three tries, three conversions and a penalty to round off a fine afternoon as the home side handed over the Wooden Spoon to the Cavaliers as their bonus-point lifted them above the side from the Western Cape.
But it was fullback Michael Makase who opend the scoring as early as the second minute with a wonderful try that Mapimpi converted to hand the hosts a seven point lead. Yet it took another 20 minutes for Mapimpi to really stamp his authority on the game from the left side of the field when he crossed the white chalk for the first time.
Border moved the ball left with deft hands and Mapimpi went over in the left hand corner but missed the conversion from a tight angle as the hosts led 12-0 after 22 minutes. Mapimpi was on the score sheet again on the stroke of halftime with his second try, this time close to the poles, making his conversion attempt that much easier as Border entered the changerooms 19-0 to the good.
The hat-trick of tries was completed just three minutes into the second stanza as Mapimpi darted over the line to hand the hosts a 24-0 lead thanks to a successful conversion.
Both sides made a host of changes over the next quarter of the match as Boland tried in vain to find a way through the Bulldogs’ defence while Border rested some weary legs.
Mapimpi slotted a penalty shortly before the hour mark as Boland became frustrated with having little ball but they finally managed to get themselves on the scoreboard when right wing Harlon Klaasen crossed over in the right hand corner. Centre Christian Rust missed the conversion attempt as the Cavaliers were consigned to the basement of the South Section log.
SCORERS
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (3), Michael Makase; Conversions: Mapimpi (3);Penalty: Mapimpi
Boland Cavaliers – Try: Harlon Klaasen
