After the 2020 hard lockdown and suspension in sport, the Leopards were the first team to claim the title.

It’s the first time since 2015 that the Leopards have managed to win the league after coming close a few times since then.

The opening exchanges saw both teams sizing each other up and it was a real arm-wrestle at Olën Park with neither team willing to give an inch.

The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when the Griffons scrumhalf, Jawinn Juries, landed a penalty for the visitors.

The Leopards struck back immediately with Duren Hoggman darting over for a converted try. The Leopards doubled their scoring some 12 minutes later when the live-wire scrumhalf, Riaan Genis, managed to dot down for a try that was also converted.

With three minutes to play in the first half, Juries slotted a second penalty to see the score at 14-6 at half time.

The hooker, Robey Leibrandt, opened the scoring in the second stanza, but the visitors from Welkom struck back immediately with Granwill Matthys crossing the white-wash. A further five minutes later Kwezi Mkhafu powered over for the Griffons to make it a one-point game with 15 minutes left on the clock.

This was, however, to be the last score of the tightly contested affair.

Scorers:

Leopards:  Tries – Duren Hoggman, Riaan Genis, Robey Leibrandt Conv.- Danrich Visagie 2.

Griffons:  Tries – Granwill Matthys, Kwezi Mkhafa Conv.- Jawinn Juries Pen. – Juries 2.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport