After last year’s defeat, Helderberg Rugby Club overturned matters to win the Super League A “battle of the mountains” against Tygerberg RFC at the Charles Morkel Stadium in Strand on Saturday (31 May).
The scoreline of 35-27 in the titanic confrontation yielded four tries by both teams – the difference on the scoreboard was superior goal-kicking by Berge’s captain Michael Visser, who slotted three penalties and three conversions, against a penalty and two conversions by the Tigers’ Adrian Roberts.
In the fifth minute, Visser opened Berge’s account with a penalty goal, and in the seventh and 14th minute the home team’s eighthman Erhard Lambrecht scored two absolutely magnificent tries. With the extras, Berge led 17-0.
In the 24th minute, Tygerberg responded with a try (17-5) and six minutes later another try, this time converted (17-12).
Visser slotted a penalty and at close of the first stanza the visitors scored a third try to take the score to 20-17 at half-time.
In the 42nd minute, Visser set-up replacement flyhalf, Bokkie Carstens, for a converted try under the posts (27-17).
This was followed by a penalty from both kickers (30-20).
Tygerberg was not done and in the 66th minute, was first to score their fourth try, also converted (30-27).
In the dying minutes Visser threw a long pass to right wing Lynn-Jay Hendricks, who crossed the line in the corner for Berge’s bonus-point try to secure the victory.
Other results:
– SLA: False Bay RFC 85-14 St George’s.
– SLC: Strand RFC 26-12 Langa, Rangers 46-22 Strand United.
– Northern League: Gordon’s Bay Pioneers 10-41 Blue Stars United, Sir Lowrians 35-23 Albions, Raithby Universals 45-10 Whistling Wheels.
Fixtures for Saturday 7 June:
– SLB: Hamlets vs Macassar (Mamre);
– SLC: Strand RFC vs Gardens (Gustrouw), Eerste River vs All Saints (Eerste River).
– Northern League: Raithby vs Gordon’s Bay Pioneers (Raithby).
