The EP Kings had to work hard against neighbours Border Bulldogs, but in the end had too much on the attack as they won by 51-36 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The defending First Division champions knuckled down in the final 20 minutes after the Bulldogs fought back early in the second half to trial by only 31-29 at the hour mark.

But replacement flyhalf George Whitehead slotted two penalty goals, while right wing Norman Nelson and loosehead prop Jaco Engels crashed over for the home team to put daylight between them and Border.

Ultimately, handling errors and turnovers almost cost the EP Kings in a performance they would be less than satisfied about, especially on defence, where they conceded five tries.

At Boland Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, the Boland Cavaliers scored four tries in the first 30 minutes against the Griffons in a match they won comfortably 47-29.

Boland lock Ligtoring Landman, who played for the Leopards earlier in his career, scored two tries in the first 10 minutes as the Cavaliers raced to a commanding lead against the Griffons. It was their sixth victory of the season as they stayed in touch with the EP Kings at the top of the log.

The Cavaliers scored a total of five tries, but it was flyhalf Elgar Watts who stole the show with a personal contribution of 27 points.

The scorers:

EP Kings 51-36 Border Bulldogs

For EP Kings:
Tries: Watson 2, Sampson, Strydom, Faasen, Nelson, Engels
Cons: Strydom 3, Whitehead 2
Pens: Whitehead 2

For Border Bulldogs:

Tries: Mboto 2, Mzwakali 2, Booi
Cons: Sabbagh 3, Dukisa
Pen: Sabbagh

Boland Cavaliers 47-29 Griffons

For: Boland Cavaliers
Tries: Landman 2, Vermeulen, Hendricks, Watts
Cons: Watts 5
Pens: Watts 4

For the Griffons:
Tries: Schoeman 2, Steyn, Nel
Cons: Van Wyk, Erwee 2
Pen: Erwee