Despatch leading the pack

GAP Management Despatch extended their lead at the top of the table when they beat Shumba Ferros at the Puma Stadium in Emalahleni on Saturday.

Despatch turned a three point deficit at half time into a 29 - 26 win after scoring three second half tries. 

Ferros took a twelve point lead after scoring two tries through inside centre, Christiaan Els, and lock, Werner Smit. Fullback Jan van der Merwe converted the first try as they took a 12 - 0 lead after thirty minutes.

Despatch right wing, Elcardo Mintoor, scored his team's first try two minutes later, flyhalf Ryan Brown added the extra two as they trailed 7 - 12 with less then twelve minutes to half time. 

Brown added a further penalty on half time as he narrowed the gap to just two points, trailing 10 - 12.

Despatch took the lead ten minutes into the second half after scrumhalf, Marlon Lewis, scored their second try. Brown added the extra two as they took a five point lead, 17 - 12.

Mintoor scored his second try of the afternoon as they extended their lead to 22 - 12, after a missed conversion from Brown.

Nkululeko Ngozo's try took Ferros within three points after van der Merwe succesfully converted, to bring the score to 19 - 22 with a quarter to play.

Despatch captain and eighthman, Jaco Swanepoel, secured the win for the visitors from the Eastern Cape as he scored his team's fourth and bonus point try with three minutes left on the clock. Replacement Justin Peach converted as Despatch took a 29 - 19 lead with the final whistle minutes away.

Ferros still had one try left as Louis Roos scored their forth and bonus point try on the eightieth minute. Van der Merwe converted as the game ended 29 - 26.

Despatch are sitting comfortable at the top of Group D, with three wins from three games, on fifteen points. Wesbank is second on ten points from three games, followed by Durban Collegians in third on 5, Ferros in fourth and Rovers Welkom in fifth.

Scorers:

Shumba Ferros (12) 26 - Tries: Werno Smith, Nkululeko Ngozo, Louis Roos. Conversions: Jan van der Merwe (3)

GAP Management Despatch: (10) 29 - Tries: Elcardo Mintoor (2), Marlon Lewis, Jaco Swanepoel. Conversions: Ryan Brown (2), Justin Peach (1). Penalty: Ryan Brown.