Border out to make final stand pay real dividends
Mixed feelings for Craven Week side after two high-scoring clashes
The BuilditBorder Craven Week team will get the chance to seal a perfect week as they take on Free State in their final match of the 2018 Craven Week.
The stage is set for a grand finale and, although they are not in the main game of the week, Border can be very proud of their effort this year regardless of the result of their last game.
“The guys had a bit of a mixed response to being drawn against them. Some were excited while others were a bit disappointed that we didn’t make it to the main match of the week,” said coach James Winstanley.
“There was always hope that we would get to the (unofficial) ‘final’, and the guys certainly played well enough to get there, but that is just how it went and we will be ready for the challenge that has been put in front of us.
“Free State were pre-tournament favourites along with Western Province, and we will certainly be tested by them.”
Last year Border had a terrible time at the Craven Week, losing all three of their matches, so this has already been a massive improvement, with two monster wins, and they have a good chance of making it through unbeaten as well.
Their record 68-17 win over Limpopo and 52-12 thrashing of the Griffons have been lively performances characterised by fast starts which blew away the opposition in the first half, before a strong finish in both games secured the big wins.
The team has managed 18 tries, 10 scored by the backs and eight by the forwards.
Players such as captain Sibabalwe Xamlashe, scrumhalf Thomas Bursey, eighthman Kwezi Dlamini and hooker Jacques Goosen all shone. However, the team as a whole has impressed immensely.
Free State will also be looking to finish their week with a bang after opening it with a 38-21 win over the Blue Bulls, only to go down to the Sharks 29-20 in game two.
“We have one last game to make it count. Border hasn’t had an unbeaten Craven Week since 2009, so that has always been the goal,” said Winstanley.
The Buildit Border Academy team will also be hunting a strong finish to their week, heading into the final game with a 50/50 win/loss ratio after going down to the Valke in their second match.
Their first game was a 31-18 win over the Leopards, and despite leading by 12 points during the second half of their second match, the Valke fought back to edge them 25-22.
The team will face a tough task against the Blue Bulls.
The Academy side kicks off their match at 9.30am, while the Craven Week side’s match starts at 11am...
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