Last-gasp try robs Elephants of first win

A try in the dying seconds of the game by the Leopard's fullback, Riaan van der Bergh, robbed EP of their first Currie Cup win of the season.

The Leopards triumphed 30-29 over the EP after the home team lead 19-7 at the break.

It was a match of completely different halves. EP came out all guns blazing and scored their first try in the fourth minute after some good driving play up the middle, left fullback Brett Hennessey with enough space to dive over in the corner.

The try gave EP a psychological edge early on in the game, but came at a great cost after veteran eightman, Barry Pinnock, broke his arm in the process.

EP's game plan of keeping the ball away from the Leopard's heavy tight five, taking it through two or three fast phases and then swinging it wide seemed to be a match-winning formula.

Halfway through the first half Monwabisi Mdyesha (flyhalf) cut through the midfield to put young flanker Luke Watson away for his first try at senior level.

EP lost their concentration for a while and the Leopards' flyhalf Willem de Waal managed to squeeze over for a try which he also converted.

The second half was a completely different story. The Leopards dominated all facets of the game and pinned the Elephants to their own tryline.

De Waal dominated the game with his decision making at flyhalf and Van der Bergh read the game beautifully to pitch up at the right time at the right place to score two tries.

De Waal was the best player on the field. Like a Frik du Preez of yesteryear he dropped, placed and scored to keep his team in the hunt.

Van der Bergh, Werner Lessing (lock) and Erik van der Merwe (flank) also played their hearts out for the visitors.

Watson was the EP's best player while Chad Alcock (scrumhalf) enjoyed a good game in his 100th match for EP.