Strand United kicked off their Super League C (SLC) campaign with a clash against Atlantis RFC at the Abattoir Sports Grounds on Saturday 4 May.
But it was not to be the perfect start to the local team’s season as they suffered a narrow 21-24 loss.
The match was even until the 30th minute, when defensive blunders gave Atlantis two soft tries. With United’s line-out malfunctioning throughout the match, Atlantis got the upperhand and led 14-0 at half-time.
After the break, the home side got onto the scoreboard courtesy of a try by scrumhalf Mikaeel la Meyer. Ebrahim Pedro added the extras.
Atlantis scored two more unconverted tries to stretch their lead, but United hit back with two tries by Waqeel Josephs and Amier Olivier. Pedro converted both five-pointers.
In the last minutes the hosts frantically attacked, but it was in vain as the visitors took the spoils.
In another SLC game, Macassar made it three wins from three matches when they outplayed Blue Jets RFC in Langa by 5-33.
In Super League B (SLB), All Saints played to a hard-fought 19-19 draw against Belhar RFC at Helderzicht Sports Ground. Belhar started strong with threatening runs from the backline, as Saints spent most of the first half defending in their own half. Belhar jumped to an early 19-0 lead with three and two conversions.
The home side fought back in the closing phase of the first half, making it into the Belhar 22 for the first time.
All Saints’ captain Emile Chachane crashed over to end the half with the score at 5-19.
The All Saints substitutes shifted momentum in the second half. Replacement centre Rhoden November and replacement flank Odwa Gwe scored for Saints, with replacement flyhalf Cheslyn Jack converting one to level the scores (19-19).
Belhar had a last gasp attempt at the try-line but All Saints defended phase after phase to keep the visitors out and seal the stalemate.
Saints will enjoy a bye this weekend, before returning to action against Hamediehs RFC at Helderzicht on 25 May.
Also in SLB, Strand RFC lost their fourth game in as many games when they went down 16-27 to Franschhoek RFC.
In the Northern League, Sir Lowrians edged Excelsior RFC 23-25 in a tightly contested game in Stellenbosch.
Sir Low took an early lead thanks to a penalty by Callen Arendse before Nathan Williams scored their first try, which was uncoverted.
Superb running play resulted in yet another try for Sir Low, this time by Elrico Adams. Arendse added the extras.
Leading by 0-15, the visitors became too comfortable and allowed the Excelsior attack to make way.
The hosts added 10 points to the scoreline to take the score to 10-15 at half-time.
Both teams applied pressure in the second half, but Sir Low drew first blood when Williams went over for his second, which was converted by. Arendse.
A penalty and converted try by the hosts kept the game in the balance, before they slotted a penalty to take a narrow lead (23-22) for the first time.
With just minutes to go, the pressure by Sir Lowrians paid off as they were awarded a penalty and took the victory with the last kick of the game.
Fixtures for Saturday 11 May:
- Super League A: St George’s vs Helderberg (Gustrouw).
- Super League C: Pniël Villagers vs Strand United (away), Macassar vs Goodwood (Riverside Park).
- Northern League: Sir Lowrians vs Stellenbosch-Coronations (Sir Lowry’s Pass), Raithby Universals vs Albions (away).
