The ABSA Currie Cup started this weekend with a bang, as some teams started their campaign with a bonus point win the rest are still stuck in the starting blocks.
The Currie Cup can often be cruel and the EP Kings must feel like that kid being bullied on the play ground after their opener against the Golden Lions on Saturday.
During the build up to the game, Kings captain Luke Watson said, "We know we are up against formidable opponents, who have been together for a few seasons and now have that experience. But we are confident we will be competitive and we are ready for the challenge."
Watson correctly pointed out that the Lions are a formidable bunch, but I'm sure nothing could have prepared them for the onslaught that awaited them on Saturday, as they ripped into the Kings running in four tries within the first sixteen minutes.
Lions' sevens star, Kwagga Smith scored his first of three tries with not even a minute on the clock. Cornell Skosan and Howard Mnisi scored in quick succession before Smith scored his second and the Lions' bonus point try.
The dust settled slightly as the Lions became like a pack of immobile males after a feeding frenzy, as the Kings scored an intercepted try deep inside the Lions' half.
Marnitz Boshoff kicked a late penalty to end the first half, as they took a 31 - 7 lead.
Despite the Kings staying adrift for forty odd minutes restricting the Lions to only three penalties, and scoring their second try, the Lions added two late tries including a third for Smith as the game ended 51 - 14.
It doesn't get any easier for the Kings as they travel to Durban this week to face the Sharks. Despite a loss against the Pumas on Friday the Sharks will take this opportunity against the Kings to get their campaign back on track.
Scorers:
EP Kings (7) 14 - Tries: Sylvain Mahuza, Simon Kerrod. Conversions: Scott van Breda (2)
Xerox Golden Lions (31) 51 - Tries: Kwagga Smith (3), Courtnall Skosan (2), Howard Mnisi. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (6). Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff (3)
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