Eagle Stars beat Jaguars in CX derby

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KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - Sedgefield Eagle Stars last weekend walked away with a narrow two-point win over Jaguars, their local rivals in the SWD Super League A.

This while Bitou Rugby Club returned to action with a win against Arrows and Knysna United's winning streak ended courtesy of a loss against Seagulls.

Knysna United were on a roll in the SWD Super League B, having won four consecutive games before making the trip to Still Bay to face Seagulls. They were also top of the log in the league, six points clear of Albertinia. Despite lying in the middle section of the table, Seagulls proved to be too good for Knysna United on the day.

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In the second team's game the home side gave nothing away against their opponents, winning the encounter 24-0. The first team was slightly closer, but the result still went the way of Seagulls, who won 24-12. Despite the defeat, Knysna United remain top of the log, two points ahead of Albertinia.

Eagle Stars' first team celebrates its victory over Jaguars.

In Plettenberg Bay, Bitou were playing their first games in the SWD First Division East in nearly two months when they came up against Arrows. The day proved to be far more fruitful for Bitou than their Knysna counterparts' outing in Still Bay.

In the second team match, Bitou secured a 25-12 win, the ideal start to the day's proceedings.

Hoping to emulate this, the home side's first team ran out next and managed to restrict their opponents to the same number of points as the second team. This, coupled with the hard work done on the attack, handed Bitou a welcome 36-12 win to get the ball rolling again.

In Sedgefield the most eagerly anticipated games of the season were being played as Eagle Stars and Plett-based Jaguars' three sides were battling it out in the first CX derby of the season in the SWD Super League A. It was a crucial game for both clubs as their first teams were trying to avoid bottom spot on the log.

The third teams clashed first and the two sides were very equal, with a score of 7-7 at the final whistle.

The second game proved more fruitful for Eagle Stars as they were able to secure their first win of the season with a 31-14 score over Jaguars' second side.

However, the capacity crowd at Grassy Park in Smutsville was eagerly anticipating the final game of the day - the battle of the first teams. It was a tough game indeed, and the scores throughout the game were always so close that neither side's lead was ever comfortable.

Jaguars scored three tries, one of which was converted, and this was aided by two penalty kicks. Eagle Stars on the other hand scored their only try of the game early on, which was converted, and slotted over six penalties on their way to victory. The last of the six penalties came in the dying moments of the game to give Eagle Stars a 25-23 lead.

Jaguars had one more chance though, and a missed penalty in the final play of the game meant victory evaded them. Their 25-23 win sees Eagle Stars rise above Jaguars in the log standings for the first time this season.

Eagle Stars and Jaguars' first teams line up for a scrum.