After a very disappointing cancellation from Kleimond Rugby Club, days before the planned friendly rugby matches, the day was saved by Strand RFC who agreed to play against Helderberg RFC on Saturday 17 February.
As it turned out 14 tries were scored, 10 by the home team and another four by the exciting visitors.
The match took place in great spirits and displayed the local talent to the extreme. The score of 68-24 underlines the style of the day, 14 from the 12 try scorers. The first half belonged to the home team and the 28–5 half-time score reflected four Berge tries and one for Strand.
The scorers were flyhalf Lennie Julies, scrumhalf Eric Myburgh, centre Luke Hertz and left-wing Dane Bezuidenhout with four conversions from Julies and a sole try for Strand by their left-wing Lorenzo Pietersen. The second half saw a great fightback by Strand, taking advantage of shaky handling by the Berge backline. In the process Strand rained in three great tries with outstanding play from flyhalf Germaine Jansen.
Their scorers were Jansen, number 8 Rihaad Adams and scrummy Jayden Pickett, with Jansen adding two conversions. For Helderberg, centre Hughwan Engelbrecht and flanker Jady Labuschagne each scored a brace and further tries were scored by eighthman Erhard Lamprecht and loosehead prop Tristan Leitch. Flyhalf Stewart Jacobs added five second half conversions.
The big squads served the purpose of giving all the participants an opportunity to show what they’ve got in terms of fitness and skills. On Saturday 9 March all Helderberg teams will host Union-Milneron RFC at Charles Morkel fields.
