Gardens struck an early blow in the ultra-competitive “Group of Death” when they pipped a brave Park side 28-22 in a thrilling opening round EC Super 14 club clash at Londt Park on Saturday.
A late Park try set up a tense Group A finish and left the 2023 EPRU Grand Challenge champions nervously counting down the seconds before referee Michael Collier blew the final whistle.
The points earned on the road could prove crucial for Gardens in a four-team group which includes last season’s beaten Super 14 champions, Kruisfontein United, and a combative Harlequins outfit.
It had been expected Gardens would have too much firepower for Park, but the Londt Park side refused to go away and gave as good as they got against the Kariega side, who led 16-7 at the break.
After months of uncertainty regarding whether the Super 14 would take place, big crowds flocked to watch matches throughout the Eastern Cape.
Up until the last minute there were fears the tournament would be put on ice again after the EP Rugby Referees Society threatened to go on strike.
However, the matter of nonpayment was resolved less than 24 hours before kickoff.
The concerned referees sent a letter to EP's acting president Gerald Antonie on Wednesday regarding money owed to them.
The letter, signed by acting EP Rugby Referees Society chair Fernando Uithaler, said: “This letter serves as notice that the EP Referees will not be available for the Super 14 tournament due to nonpayment of Super 14 fees in 2023.
“This is to inform your office that the decision has been taken by the EPRU Exco that no referees will be appointed until this matter is dealt with as a matter of urgency.
“The issue was raised at different forums, but still the outstanding monies for 2023 have not been paid.
“The referees will not avail themselves for any fixtures in this tournament with immediate effect.
“The EPRU must first address this matter and provide assurance that monies will be paid.”
On Friday some Super 14 coaches were concerned matches would not go ahead, but insiders said the issue had been resolved at the last minute.
At a meeting on Monday night, clubs told organisers a promised participation fee of R5,000 and travelling costs must be paid into their accounts by Friday morning at the latest.
Super 14 champions EL Police kicked off their campaign with a 38-9 win over Moonlight to signal they will not surrender their title without a fight.
Kruisfontein United, beaten finalists in 2023, were also fast out of the starting blocks and sent their army of “Purple Force” supporters home happy with a 21-13 win over arch-rivals Harlequins in Humansdorp.
Despatch Oostelikes continued the fine form they displayed in 2023 when they toppled Progress 15-10 at the Central Field in Kariega.
Trying Stars scored three tries in an impressive 25-14 home win over Hankey Villagers after leading 13-7 at halftime.
The try scorers for Stars were Kalvano King, Sherwin Cannon and Luqmaan Mallick. Zenoven Denston kicked two conversions and two penalties.
EP and Border clubs will play a reduced single round of internal fixtures before cross-border encounters in the knockout phase.
Gardens, who swept everything before them when they won the 2023 EPRU Grand Challenge, fell behind early on when they conceded a try early against Park.
Results:
EP Conference:
Group A: Park 22 Gardens 28, Kruisfontein United 21 Harlequins 13.
Group B: Trying Stars 25 Hankey Villagers 14, Progress 10 Despatch Oostelikes 15.
Border Conference:
Group A: EL Police 38 Moonlight 9, Ncera Leopards 56 Berlin Tigers 22.
Group B: Young Leopards 21 Old Selbornians 15, Swallows 19 Komga United 17.
Saturday's second-round fixtures:
EP Conference: Gardens v Kruisfontein United (Derrick Ferreira Stadium), Harlequins v Park (Adcock Stadium), Despatch Oostelikes v Trying Stars (Daleview).
Border Conference: Ncera Leopards v EL Police (Ncera), Berlin Tigers v Moonlight (Berlin), Swallows v Young Leopards (Swallows), Komga United v Old Selbornians (Komga).
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