The typical Wellington heat greeted the SA Cup Round Three fixture as the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers made light work of the Valke, beating them 73-24.
A dominant set piece and strong defensive effort enabled the home side to run in ten tries to three, with Juan Mostert adding seven conversions, keeping the visitors at arm's length since minute 20.
The win consolidates the Wellington side's top-four position on the SA Cup log after wins against the Toyota Cheetahs and Griffons.
A brace from Erik Lambrecht, a try apiece by Jade Stighling and Domenic Smit saw the home side race to a 26-3 lead in the opening 20 minutes and set the tone for a fast-paced encounter.
Lambrecht's first try came as early as the second minute, following some great interplay between the forwards and backs.
The home side's dominating display came through players like Marlyn Williams, Dewald Maritz, Michael Mutombo and captain Thurlow Marsh.
The visitors kept within touching distance through a Zeilinga Strydom brace of tries. The boot of Sergio Stalmeester kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Valke.
A commanding 40-17 lead at halftime meant the Kavaliers headed into the break with confidence.
The home side dominated the set pieces and capitalised on this advantage, allowing front rower Dayan van der Westhuizen to crash over in the 33rd minute and Sauliegh Arendse to dot down on the stroke of halftime.
Juan Mostert continued his fine form off the tee, converting all but one of his six attempts in the opening half.
It took the Kavaliers just nine minutes in the second half to put their rolling maul to good use, Joshua Eras being rewarded with his first competition try in a Kavalier jersey.
This sparked last week's four-try hero, Xavier Mitchell, to dot down twice in as many minutes.
Mostert converted the first and replacement flyhalf and birthday boy, Thurlon Williams, converted Mitchell's second try, 61-17.
The Kavaliers kept the foot on the gas with two late tries by Michael Benadie and Thurlow Marsh.
It was the visitors who had the last word of the match with a late converted consolation try.
SCORERS:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 73 (40) Tries: Erik Lambrecht (2), Xavier Mitchell (2), Jade Stighling, Domenic Smit, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Sauliegh Arendse, Joshua Eras, Michael Benadie, Thurlow Marsh Cons: Juan Mostert (7), Thurlon Williams (2)
Valke: 24 (17) Tries: Zeilinga Strydom (2), Kelvin Kanenungo Cons: Sergio Stalmeester (3) Pen: Stalmeester
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Michael Mutombo, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Dewald Maritz.
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Andrew Beerwinkel, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Taine Booysen, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Jurick Lewis, 23 Thurlon Williams
VALKE: 15 Mbembe Payi, 14 Mosolwa Mafuma, 13 Theuns Pretorius (capt), 12 Zeilinga Strydom, 11 Ilunga Mukendi, 10 Sergio Stalmeester, 9 Luciano Elias, 8 Zingisa April, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Zander van der Merwe, 5 Cayno February 4 Dirco Lourens, 3 Blaine Golden, 2 Pierre Rabie, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Marco Führi, 17 Ethan Jeffery, 18 Thabo Ntunja, 19 Tiaan Jonker, 20 Kelvin Kanenungo, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Tyler Sefoor, 23 Musa Tshabalala