With Unimil losing at Brackenfell and Helderberg handsomely winning against Tygerberg by 45 – 22 at Charles Morkel on Saturday 22 July in the Super League A fixture, Berge were re-elevated to the top of the log. Yet it was a top class performance from both teams.
Helderberg was on top from the very start with three scintillating tries in the first 12 minutes. The first minute produced a corner try from a full backline movement for the flight footed fullback Jeandre Lukas. Scrumhalf Michael Visser succeeded from touch 7-0. Two minutes later the hosts were to see almost an exact full line repetition, with Lukas again too fast to stop (12-0).
In the 12th minute it was the turn of left wing Ovain Engelbrecht who rounded off, again in the corner for Visser to slot the conversion (19–0). In the 26th minute the “Tiere” succeeded with a penalty goal (19-3), and in the 28th minute deft inter-passing between lock forward Jady Labuschagne and winger Engelbrecht resulted in centre Quinn Visser crossing in the corner once again (24-3).
After 30 minutes it was Tygerberg’s turn for some magic. First flyhalf Ashton Hendricks cut through the defence for a converted try (24-10), then followed a thrilling corner flag run and score by their left wing, unconverted (24-15).
In the 47th minute man of the match debutant Matthew Cordy scored in the corner for Michael Visser to convert (31-15). Tygerberg did not give up and scored their third try, this time by their rught-wing, converted (31-22).
Towards the end of this excellent club rugby match Berge regained ascendancy with two more tries, one from a telling run by Quinn Visser which led to a try by older brother Michael Visser who also converted (38–22), and finally by replacement flyhalf Darren Hendricks who converted his own try (45–22).
Apart from classy performances by Cordy, the Visser brothers, Lukas and Labuschagne, this was truly a team effort that deserves praise for the coaches Koos Eksteen and Lin Beukes, and despite eight team changes.
This week Helderberg welcomes formidable UCT to Charles Morkel Stadium for the first time since 2015.
