A try-fest was at hand at Olën Park when the visiting u.19 EP Kings team travelled up to Potchefstroom for a Currie Cup u.19 competition match with the u.19 Leopards.
Running rugby was evident from the onset with the Kings just outscoring the Leopards 5-4 in tries and 39-36 on the final scoreboard to take the win.
It might have been very different if the referee had picked up that EP Kings’ wing, Victor Foster had knocked the ball on when attempting to score a try. Referee, Ruan Meiring, awarded the try to the disdain of the Leopards team who were clearly upset.
The Leopards kept their heads held high, though, and hit back with a brilliant try from fullback, Craig Ellis, who scored under the poles after beating about five defenders. His teammates and the home crowd were ecstatic after watching a piece of magic from Ellis. It was a true see-saw encounter during the match with teams trading tries throughout the 80 minutes. Leopards flyhalf, Hein Steenkamp was one of the stars of the show, scoring a brace of tries to keep his side in the game. Steenkamp was full of running during the match and created a lot of space with his willingness to play with the ball in hand. The former Hoër Volkskool learner, Ryno Visagie also put his name on the scoresheet after he drove over the opposition with his power.
At that stage, the score was level at 36 all, before ill-discipline cost the Leopards in the final ten min-utes. Foster kicked the penalty to give the Kings a close three-point win.
Foster had a great game with his accurate boot and sharp and speedy runs on the right wing. His 21 points were key to the Kings’ win and he can hold his head high.
Leopards: 36 (18) Tries: Craig Ellis, Hein Steenkamp (2), Ryno Visagie. Conversions: Quintin Bayards, Slabber La Grange. Penalties: Bayards (3) La Grange
EP Kings: 39 (24): Tries: Victor Foster (2), Daniel Voigt, Jonathan Booysen, Yaw Penxe. Conversions: Foster (4) Penalties: Foster (2).

Photos: Wouter Pienaar