Sticky situation for Pongola
Mike Harrison
PONGOLA and Mandeni drew 22-all in a
Stewart Shield match played at Mandeni on
Saturday.
This is a mini setback for Pongola who will
now have to beat Richards Bay this weekend
in order to make sure of winning the shield.
Richards Bay, on the other hand, have played
four games but will have to beat Empangeni
III and Pongola and pick up five points on
each occasion if they hope to challenge the
latter for top position of the log.
They will then finish with 21 points as
against Pongola’s 17 from four matches.
Pongola will then play Empangeni III once
the Findlay Cup has been completed to
determine the winners of the Stewart Shield.
That march will probably take place on
Saturday 26 August with Empangeni having to
travel to Pongola.
In the drawn match at Mandeni the home team
scored four tries to Pongola’s three.
Theunis Miennie, who got over twice and also
kicked a conversion, Chris Dicks and Danie
Vermaak were their scorers.
Pongola’s points came from tries to Stephen
van Wyk, who got over twice, and Sois
Groenewald.
Philip Lourens again came to the party with
two conversions and a penalty to complete
the scoring.
Heavy pack
Evidently the result was a fair reflection
of the game but there was no doubt that the
heavy Mandeni pack played a major role in
helping them share the spoils with the
visitors.
In the Van Rooyen Cup, Mtuba moved to top of
the log with their massive 52-0 victory over
eShowe.
Ritchtek Old Boys easily accounted for
Richards Bay II 27-7 with Graham Beukes
(two), Daren Ward, Jann Schultz and Isak
Harmse their try scorers.
Mtuba head the table with 20 points followed
by RTOB who have 18, both having played six
matches.
Melmoth, who drew a bye last weekend, have
16 points from five matches.
This competition is heading for a exciting
finish.
