The heat was turned up in Western Province club rugby leagues this past weekend, with agonisingly close finishes in Super League C and clinical, table-topping showcases in Super League B giving fans plenty of talking points.

All eyes were on Abattoir Sports Ground on Saturday (13 June) as a winless Strand United returned to action after a two-week hiatus to host mid-table Delft United.

The hosts enjoyed a dream start, putting immediate pressure on the visitors. Within five minutes captain Moenier Davids crashed over the whitewash to cap off a relentless opening onslaught. Junaid Martin added the extras to give United an early 7-0 lead.

However, the opening score ignited Delft, who clicked into gear with brilliant and expansive rugby.

Dominating general play the visitors crossed for three quickfire tries to turn the game on its head and surge to a 7-17 lead.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side when Waqeel Josephs was shown a red card for a high tackle on the Delft full-back.

Down to 14 men, United showed immense character. Just before the half-time whistle, a powerful scrum in the Delft 22 allowed Rasool Thomas to score, narrowing the deficit to 12-17 at the break.

The second half saw a monumental defensive effort from the short-handed hosts. For 25 minutes they tackled everything that moved, frustrating Delft before stunning them on the counter attack.

Winger Ramiz Collins split the defence for a sensational 60-m try, giving United an improbable 19-17 lead.

The game opened up in the final quarter. Delft stopped the bleeding with a successful penalty to reclaim a 19-20 advantage, before scoring under the posts to extend it to 19-27.

Refusing to leave empty-handed, United launched one final attack. Winger Tasneem Davids crossed out wide on the final play of the game.

While the conversion went wide, the try secured a crucial four-try bonus point and a losing bonus point (finishing within seven points) with the scoreboard reading 24-27 in favour of the visitors.

Elsewhere in Super League C, Raithby Universals put on a clinical display, dismantling Caledonian Roses 14-45 in Rylands to solidify 10th place on the log.

Sir Lowrians were involved in a dogfight against Atlantis, but fell just short in a 23-27 defeat, leaving the local team in ninth position on the log.

In Super League B Macassar maintained their position at the summit of the standings with a gritty 24-20 away win against Kraaifontein.

The victory keeps the MC Boys clear at the top with 38 points.

It was a tough weekend for All Saints, who dropped points in their 27-29 loss to Vineyards.

Despite the slip-up, the Olla Boys hang onto second place on the log with 33 points.

Meanwhile, St George’s remains anchored to the bottom of the table after a tough 38-10 defeat at the hands of CPUT.

In the Northern League, Faure kept up their pursuit of the upper tier with a high-scoring 40-26 victory over Cloetesville, cementing their fifth-place standing.

It was heartbreak, however, for Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, who fought valiantly in a defensive slugfest but ultimately lost 12-10 to Police Blackheath. GB Pioneers are struggling at the bottom of the log.

 Fixtures for Saturday 20 June:

– SLA: Brackenfell vs Helderberg.

– SLB: Macassar vs Collegians, St George’s vs Bellville.

– SLC: Sir Lowrians vs Pniël Villagers, Delft vs Strand RFC, Strand United vs Gardens.

– Northern League: Gordon’s Bay Pioneers vs Cloetesville.