Wanderers’ Gold Cup run comes to an end

WANDERERS’ run in the Gold Cup competition came to an end on Saturday when they lost 35-27 to Evergreens at the Wanderers field in Pionierspark.

Both sides scored four tries, but Evergreens fullback Leegan Moos made the difference, scoring 15 points with the boot.

Furthermore, Evergreens made better use of their chances and defended superbly in the final minutes to run out deserved victors.

For Evergreens, Freginald Africa scored two tries and Buran Parks and Clint Miller one each.

Wanderers’ tries were scored by Lean Stoop, Alberto Engelbrecht, Tershwin Raubenheimer and Eduardo Nell, while Mahco Prinsloo added two conversions and a penalty. and

The result saw Evergreens finish second on the log in Group B on 15 points to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition.

Rustenburg Impala, who finished top of the log on 20 points after beating Pirates 57-31 in their final group match on Saturday, also qualified for the quarterfinals of the competition.

Pirates finished third on 11 points, while Wanderers finished fourth on nine points.

Saturday’s encounter at the Wanderers field was a close affair throughout, with Wanderers taking a 12-11 lead at halftime, and then trailing 28-27 with five minutes to go, before Evergreens sealed their victory with the final try of the match.

Evergreens took the lead through a penalty by Loos, but Wanderers struck back with a try by full back Lean Stoop after a fine break by Riaan van Zyl and with Prinsloo adding the conversion they went 7-3 ahead.

Loos closed the gap to a point with another penalty before Evergreens took the lead in the 33rd minute through a try by left wing Clint Miller, after a counter-attack initiated by centre Divandre Strydom.

Wanderers, however, regained the lead at 12-11 just before halftime when flanker Alberto Engelbrecht broke away from a scrum to crash over for an unconverted try.

A Loos penalty put Evergreens in front again at 14-12, but Wanderers attacked furiously and centre Tershwin Raubenheimer finally broke through Evergreens’ defence to dot down on 54 minutes, and with Prinsloo adding the conversion they went 19-14 ahead.

The lead didn’t last long though as Evergreens attacked from the kickoff and flanker Buran Parks went over two minutes later and with Loos adding the conversion they went 21-19 ahead.

The lead continued to change hands, with a Prinsloo penalty putting Wanderers 22-21 ahead before flanker Freginald Africa’s first try converted by Loos put the visitors 28-22 ahead.

Wanderers attacked relentlessly in the final stages and reserve scrum half Eduardo Nell finally went over to make the score 28-27 with four minutes remaining. Wanderers, however, failed to regain the lead after Prinsloo missed the crucial conversion and Evergreens had the final say when Africa scored his second try, once again converted by Loos, to run out 35-27 victors.

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