Gaborone Hogs and LKC qualify for final
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 24, 2015 13:59
Hogs booked themselves a spot in the final by hammering their long time rivals, BDF Cheetahs by 21-3 on Saturday afternoon. LKC on the other hand, pulled a slim margin victory of 22-23 over UB Rhinos on Friday night.
Hogs showed their intention to run away with the game from the first whistle as they launched attack on their opponents. The attack led to Cheetahs committing a foul that resulted in Hogs being awarded a penalty in the 5th minute. Hogs forward, Edie Ousthuizen did not waste time as he converted from the spot to make it 3-0. Cheetahs tried to level matters, but gave Hogs another penalty, which was scored by Ousthuizen to extend the margin to 6-0. Cheetahs forward were working hard to win the balls and move the team up the field, but Hogs defence was making the impossible. The army side was awarded a set piece in the 18th minute and Lekgoba Bafana missed the target by a whisker. Ousthuizen failed to convert a long ranger from the spot a few minutes later and the miss left Hogs leading 9-0. Omphile Dabula made a good run on the left flank, but was unlucky as Hogs players tackled him. The game went to recess with Hogs leading 15-0. Cheetahs came into the second half in a better form with the side making runs. They introduced the fresh legs of Kabo Batsile and Podius Mandevu.
Bafana finally found his footing and scored for Cheetahs in the 52nd minute to cut the lead to 18-3. But that was not enough as Hogs continued to maul their opponents to win the match.
After the game Cheetahs’ coach, Mmoloki Moroke told Monitor Sport that their aim was to qualify for the final. He explained that the loss was due to the mistakes they committed, thus giving their opponents penalties. “Hogs backline was intact and made it difficult for us to score. The referee was hard on us and some of the calls he made were questionable. He did not even want to communicate with our captain,” said Moroke. He complained that the red card that was given to Lempaletse Ngaka was not fair. In the victors’ mentor, Sean Iris the game was like a final. He noted that the Cheetahs came hard on them, but they stood their ground. He said he was impressed by the penalties that were scored by Ousthuizen. “Our intention is to keep the same attitude when we face LKC. We have beaten them before, but we are not going to undermine them,” said Iris.
The teams line up:
Hogs: Shatiso Ntebe, Thato Ndove, Albert Vinns, Shaun Lees, Mat Gibson, Rolaid Megan, Jeremy Babage, Stephan Van Zyl, Steve P, Hugo Botha, Kia Soreta, Ousthuizen, JJ Harires, Dillion P and Damelin Motlogelwa.
Cheetahs: Goloswang Twadimpe, Thebeetsile Sedimo, Oarabile Chiche, Gilbert Machobane, Eddie Ernest, Keeditswe Matenanga, Debula, Ngaka, One Tumelo, Kagiso Molefhi, Lovemore Jimson, Legodiseng Lepodise, Nathaniel Godirwang, James Shamuwaka and Bafana.
Caution: Molefhi
Red card: Ngaka