East London Police rugby club emerged victorious from a scrappy Super League match against Berlin Tigers at a cold and overcast Police Park at the weekend.
The 28-12 bonus point win means that Police will remain at the top of the table for another week and keep their early season momentum going.
“I am happy with the win,” said Police coach Alistair Alexander. “The game was played at high tempo throughout and we unfortunately did not play to structure, but we controlled proceedings and got the bonus point win in the end.”
The visitors kicked off the first half in a swirling wind and were immediately rewarded with the chance to take the lead as they earned a penalty at the breakdown on Police's 22m in the first minute, but Tigers scrumhalf Nkululeko Jwatya contrived to send the ball past the left hand upright.
Police grew stronger as the match progressed and were rewarded for sustained pressure with the first try about 10 minutes into the match.
It was a good forward momentum for the hosts, thanks to a number of pick and drives and good back-line assistance, with the ball being kept alive through a number of phases ending up with hooker Lutho Klaas crashing over to the left of the poles, with his teammate, centre Ayanda Davids succeeding with the conversion.
The Police 7-0 lead was then doubled seven minutes later as good counter attack from a Tigers clearance saw fullback Tollie Mtyoko take the ball to just before the 22m and from there it was recycled and swung wide where flank Siya November hit a gap while putting in a monster hand-off on a Tigers defender before off-loading the ball to replacement wing Lonwabo Ntlama who went over in the left corner.
Davids stepped up again to slot a trickier two points this time as Police looked to be hitting their straps, but no further points were scored in the half.
Police started the second half with a bang after a turnover in the Tigers’ half saw the ball pop out to eighthman Nathan Knoetze, who set off on a storming run down the left-hand touchline, cutting inside into the 22m before finally four defenders brought him down just short of the line.
From the ruck wing Sabelo Kolanisi picked up and dived over for the try, with flyhalf Odwa Rasmeni slotting the conversion from near the left hand touch line.
In the 50th minute Tigers finally registered their first points after a quick tap penalty and right wing Phumlani Matiki dotted down under the posts. Jwatya converted.
From a scrum in the Tigers’ 22m, a superb back line move was executed with Rasmeni running across field before switching the play to Ntlama on an inside run to cut through the defence untouched and score under the poles for his second try.
Replacement scrumhalf S’kangela Mateza converted.
Soon after Tigers flank Sibusiso Dyali replied with a late, unconverted try, leaving the final score at 28-12.
Berlin Tigers tamed by Police 28-12
The 28-12 bonus point win means that Police will remain at the top of the table for another week and keep their early season momentum going.
“I am happy with the win,” said Police coach Alistair Alexander. “The game was played at high tempo throughout and we unfortunately did not play to structure, but we controlled proceedings and got the bonus point win in the end.”
The visitors kicked off the first half in a swirling wind and were immediately rewarded with the chance to take the lead as they earned a penalty at the breakdown on Police's 22m in the first minute, but Tigers scrumhalf Nkululeko Jwatya contrived to send the ball past the left hand upright.
Police grew stronger as the match progressed and were rewarded for sustained pressure with the first try about 10 minutes into the match.
It was a good forward momentum for the hosts, thanks to a number of pick and drives and good back-line assistance, with the ball being kept alive through a number of phases ending up with hooker Lutho Klaas crashing over to the left of the poles, with his teammate, centre Ayanda Davids succeeding with the conversion.
The Police 7-0 lead was then doubled seven minutes later as good counter attack from a Tigers clearance saw fullback Tollie Mtyoko take the ball to just before the 22m and from there it was recycled and swung wide where flank Siya November hit a gap while putting in a monster hand-off on a Tigers defender before off-loading the ball to replacement wing Lonwabo Ntlama who went over in the left corner.
Davids stepped up again to slot a trickier two points this time as Police looked to be hitting their straps, but no further points were scored in the half.
Police started the second half with a bang after a turnover in the Tigers’ half saw the ball pop out to eighthman Nathan Knoetze, who set off on a storming run down the left-hand touchline, cutting inside into the 22m before finally four defenders brought him down just short of the line.
From the ruck wing Sabelo Kolanisi picked up and dived over for the try, with flyhalf Odwa Rasmeni slotting the conversion from near the left hand touch line.
In the 50th minute Tigers finally registered their first points after a quick tap penalty and right wing Phumlani Matiki dotted down under the posts. Jwatya converted.
From a scrum in the Tigers’ 22m, a superb back line move was executed with Rasmeni running across field before switching the play to Ntlama on an inside run to cut through the defence untouched and score under the poles for his second try.
Replacement scrumhalf S’kangela Mateza converted.
Soon after Tigers flank Sibusiso Dyali replied with a late, unconverted try, leaving the final score at 28-12.
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