Gordon’s Bay Pioneers (GBP) capped off their first season of competitive rugby with a triumphant 59-17 victory over Fisantekraal RFC in the final of the Western Province Metro League on Saturday (9 July).
The club’s first team has enjoyed a near-flawless run in the league, ending at the top of the log. Furthermore, the local club’s second team extended its rich vein of form too, maintaining its unbeaten run and recording a 22-17 victory over the Fisantekraal second team.
A large crowd gathered at the Naval Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay to witness the historical match between the home side and the visitors from the Northern Suburbs. And they were not disappointed as the men in blue produced a sterling performance to clinch victory and advance to regional matches, with the fixtures thereof yet to be determined by the Western Province Rugby Football Union.
Saturday’s triumph also means the men from Gordon’s Bay have won promotion to the WP Northern League next season.
Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, which was established in August 2020 following the merger of Gordon Leopards and Strand Pioneers, have stamped their authority on the WP Metro League and recorded 10 victories over the course of the season.
According to Lukas de Beer, deputy chairperson of Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, the highly anticipated first-team match produced quality rugby from both sides, and while the scoreline may seem one-sided, Fisantekraal put up a brave fight.
“The scoreline does not necessarily reflect the hard-fought contest on display,” he pointed out. “The crowds were certainly given their money’s worth, as the teams delivered beautiful rugby on the day.”
De Beer lauded the entire team for coming together as a unit and executing the game plan of coach Johan van Eeden and his coaching staff. He further said moments of individual brilliance eventually sealed the victory for Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, particularly the individual flare and excellence of fly-half Christiaan Grobler, who scored a hat-trick of tries to take his team to victory.
The home side delivered an overall team performance, but other standout players were the centre pairing of Karel Stevens and Luke Adendorf, and hooker Eugene Theunissen.
De Beer thanked the community, especially the club’s supporters, for braving the cold and pitching up at the match on Saturday, saying the support has spurred the management team and player corps to strive for success on the field. “We also want to thank the visiting team, Fisantekraal, for the competitive and well-spirited match,” he said.
- Other club rugby results of the weekend: Busy Bees 18-71 Helderberg; Scottsdene-Central 3-46 All Saints; St George’s 65-10 Young Peoples; Raithby Universals 30-22 Kraaifontein; Excelsior 8-26 Sir-Lowrians.
