2013 Cell C Community Cup champions Despatch were knocked out of this year's play-offs when they were surprisingly beaten 26-20 by the Lions champion club Roodepoort, runners up to Jonsson College Rovers in Pool B of the competition, in the opening quarter-final match at Outenique Park in George on Thursday.

Rovers played their way into the semi-finals after a hard fought 36-13 win over Border champs Old Selbornians with flanker Jean Pretorius leading the charge with three tries, while scrumhalf Shannon Rick and flank Paul Bester crossed for the other two. Fullback Jors Dannhauser kicked four conversions and flyhalf Jeandre Small slotted a long range penalty.

Impala Platinum, being coached by former Sharks coach Hugh Reece-Edwards, looked the most impressive of the sides that won their way through to the semis after they comprehensively beat Roses United 66-13.

Rovers will have their work cut out when they play Impala in the first of the semi-finals at 5pm this afternoon while Roodepoort go on to play Hamilton Sea-Point RFC from Western Province in the main game at 7.15 pm.

In the other play-offs for next year's seedings, Despatch face Centurian from the Blue Bulls who were beaten 40-10 by Hammies in the last quarter-final match on Saturday while Old Selbornians face Roses United with all games being televised.

Jos Robson