Cavaliers edge past Sharks XV

Malmesbury - On a day that celebrated club rugby in the region, it was fitting that Brendan April, one of the Boland Cavaliers' most recent graduates from the local club structures, scored his side's winning try as Boland beat the Sharks XV 21-19 in their Vodacom Cup clash in Malmesbury on Saturday.

Roughly 7 000 people attended the club friendly between locals Wesbank and Never Despair beforehand, but the majority of those spectators left the rainy Alfa sports field before the break of the main fixture.

The home support probably came as a bit of a shock for the Durbanites, but thanks to the boot of their fullback, Gouws Prinsloo, they led 16-8 at half-time.

Boland lost fullback Jacquin Jansen, who was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle early on in the match, but other than a sole try by the visiting right winger, Sibu Sithole, the Sharks made little use of the advantage in the first half.

Gouws scored his side's final points from a penalty shortly after play resumed in the second half.

Boland number 10 Ricardo Croy then started picking away at the Sharks' lead and with three minutes left April scored a brilliant individual try from a turnover, and Croy converted.

The Sharks progressed into Boland's 22 from the kick-off, but once again gave away possession.

The hosts were awarded a penalty, kicked the ball down field and ran down the clock for a somewhat unexpected victory.