Owls miss Volcano play-offs
Boksburg and NWU were tied on points going into the last round-robin phase with the Owls in fourth spot.
TW Boksburg Rugby Club was booted out of the Volcano Trophy when North-West University (NWU) managed to collect two points against Pretoria on July 27.
The Prince George Park outfit needed NWU to lose without earning any points in their game but it wasn’t to be as the students refused to go down without a fight, stealing two points from their game thanks to a bonus point for scoring four tries (or more) and losing with seven points (or less) in their 26-25 scuffle against Pretoria.
It left the Owls finishing fifth on the 10-team log in their inaugural Volcano Trophy campaign.
Owls coach Francois Erasmus said: “It was actually a successful campaign for us in my opinion; the only problem we had is that we beat all the sides from the Blue Bulls and lost against Valke teams, which I believe cost us.
“There was also some dodgy officiating which cost us in some of the games and I don’t think it’s (fifth spot) is a fair reflection. We deserve a place in the play-offs.
“Having said that, we enjoyed playing against new sides and we enjoyed the experience. It was really refreshing.”
The Owls still have Valke obligations in the form of the Peregrine League title. They face the might of the Springs Rugby Club in a quarter-final tie this Saturday (August 10) in Springs.
