East London’s premier rugby team, the Border Bulldogs will be back in the city this weekend for their next match against the Leopards as their quest for Currie Cup qualification goes on.
The team has been building towards a more well-rounded outfit this season and plans are well on track according to coach Elliot Fana, despite the Bulldogs having lost their last two matches after a good start to the season.
“We always knew that these last two matches were going to be really tough for a team like ours, as they both have been playing at a higher level than us over the past few seasons, so it was always going to be a challenge,” explained Fana.
“But I have been working towards a plan this season and my plan was to build a strong 25-man squad for the Currie Cup.
“There were a few players who played this past weekend who would not normally be my first choice, but I need to give those players a chance to show me what they have got.”
With the Bulldogs going down 21-12 to the log-leading Griquas in Kimberley, it marked their second loss in a row after starting the season with three wins on the bounce.
The Griquas, who are the only unbeaten team left in the competition were however denied their first bonus point by the plucky Bulldogs, with the home side outscoring the visitors three tries to two in the end.
“I was happy with the teams performance, teams don’t often go to the Northern Cape and restrict the Griquas while also scoring a few times themselves, so I thought we played well,” admitted Fana.
“Even though we have lost our last two matches I don’t want want people to think we are becoming the old Bulldogs, I know there is a concern out there that we are going back to our old ways, but I want tell people to know that there is a plan here and going forward they will be able to see that it is working.”
Despite the upbeat attitude of the coach, the Bulldogs must not allow themselves to get into a habit of losing, so a victory over the Leopards this weekend will be the perfect way to bounce back.
The Leopards themselves have had a tough start to the season, only managing one win against three losses and they will also want to claim a morale-boosting victory.
But with them out of form this would be the perfect opportunity for the Bulldogs to strike and being back in front of their home fans could ignite the spark needed to force a positive result.
“I am confident that we can claim a good result, our team has matured over the past few games,” said Fana.
The Bulldogs take on the Leopards at the BCM Stadium at 7pm on Friday night.
Bulldogs vow to pull out all stops
The team has been building towards a more well-rounded outfit this season and plans are well on track according to coach Elliot Fana, despite the Bulldogs having lost their last two matches after a good start to the season.
“We always knew that these last two matches were going to be really tough for a team like ours, as they both have been playing at a higher level than us over the past few seasons, so it was always going to be a challenge,” explained Fana.
“But I have been working towards a plan this season and my plan was to build a strong 25-man squad for the Currie Cup.
“There were a few players who played this past weekend who would not normally be my first choice, but I need to give those players a chance to show me what they have got.”
With the Bulldogs going down 21-12 to the log-leading Griquas in Kimberley, it marked their second loss in a row after starting the season with three wins on the bounce.
The Griquas, who are the only unbeaten team left in the competition were however denied their first bonus point by the plucky Bulldogs, with the home side outscoring the visitors three tries to two in the end.
“I was happy with the teams performance, teams don’t often go to the Northern Cape and restrict the Griquas while also scoring a few times themselves, so I thought we played well,” admitted Fana.
“Even though we have lost our last two matches I don’t want want people to think we are becoming the old Bulldogs, I know there is a concern out there that we are going back to our old ways, but I want tell people to know that there is a plan here and going forward they will be able to see that it is working.”
Despite the upbeat attitude of the coach, the Bulldogs must not allow themselves to get into a habit of losing, so a victory over the Leopards this weekend will be the perfect way to bounce back.
The Leopards themselves have had a tough start to the season, only managing one win against three losses and they will also want to claim a morale-boosting victory.
But with them out of form this would be the perfect opportunity for the Bulldogs to strike and being back in front of their home fans could ignite the spark needed to force a positive result.
“I am confident that we can claim a good result, our team has matured over the past few games,” said Fana.
The Bulldogs take on the Leopards at the BCM Stadium at 7pm on Friday night.
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