WP edge EP Kings in friendly

Port Elizabeth - Western Province edged the EP Kings 21-18 in their  friendly clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night.

In an exciting finish, the Kings, who trailed 14-13 at half-time, stormed on to the attack in the closing minutes but the WP defence held firm for the victory as the sides completed their match preparations for the Currie Cup starting on August 8.

After a try by WP centre and captain Juan de Jongh gave the visitors a 21-13 lead in the 55th minute, the Kings gave themselves a chance at victory when left wing Luther Obi shot through a gap to narrow the margin to three points with six minutes remaining.

In the first half the Kings took a 7-0 lead after a try by prop Maks van Dyk, converted by fullback Scott van Breda, who also added two penalties.

WP hit back with tries by wings Kobus van Wyk and Seabelo Senatla, both converted by flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis.

Scorers:

EP Kings:

Tries: Maks van Dyk, Luther Obi

Conversion: Scott van Breda

Penalties: Van Breda (2)

WP:

Tries: Kobus van Wyk, Seabelo Senatla, Juan de Jongh

Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (2), Kurt Coleman.

Teams:

EP Kings:

15 Scott van Breda, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Marlou van Niekerk, 11 Luther Obi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Albe de Swardt, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Tazz Fuzani, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Luke Watson, 22 Cameron Lindsay, 23 Kevin Luiters, 24 Karlo Aspeling, 25 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 26 Ronnie Cooke, 27 Tim Whitehead

WP:

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr (vice-captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Entienne Swanepoel, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak.

Substitutes (from):16 Chad Solomon, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Justin Benn, 21 Rayn Smid, 22 Jano Vermaak, 23 Kurt Coleman, 24 Jaco Taute, 25 Huw Jones, 26 Godlen Masimla, 27 EW Viljoen, 28 Jan de Klerk