A superb comeback by Strand Rugby Club in their Super League B clash against Bellville Rugby Club did not have the desired happy ending as the latter scored a try in the encounter’s final minutes to snatch victory and deny Strand a second win of the season.
The match on Saturday (25 May) ended 20-24 in Bellville’s favour at Gustrouw Sports Ground.
Strand, who appeared with a renewed sense of vigour coming off a win the previous week, trailed 7-15 at half-time. A try by Winston Jooste, converted by Jermaine Jansen, was the only resistance offered.
“We struggled with the scrums and line-outs, but it was mostly an even contest,” said team manager Lesley Grootboom.
In the second half Jooste touched down for his second try of the game, and another try by Keanu Cyster as well as a penalty by Jansen, meant that the comeback was complete as Strand led 20-19 with just minutes to go.
But split-second poor decision making allowed Bellville to find a gap and score a try just before the final whistle.
“It was as close as they come, but the boys are in a good space and have played incredibly well over the last two games,” said Grootboom. “This result unfortunately didn’t go our way, but there’s plenty of positives. The club is definitely in an upward projection.”
Fellow Super League B outfit All Saints Rugby Club also suffered a narrow 21-18 to Hands & Heart Rugby Club.
The closely contested match included tries by Leodine Latief and Asheeq Fingers for the Ola Boys, while Dylan Scholtz slotted two penalties and one conversion.
In Super League A, both St George’s and Helderberg were on the winning side.
For Helderberg, Jodi Koul scored the winning try in the final minutes of the game to give his said a desperate 31-24 victory against SK Walmers at Charles Morkel Stadium.
The visitors started well with penalties to lead 0-6, but Berge responded in the 16th minute with a corner-try by eighthman Erhard Lambrecht. It was converted by captain Michael Visser (7-6).
This was almost immediately followed by a good run from left wing Hughwan Engelbrecht, who linked with fullback Stewart Jacobs, who in turn sent Quiwen Bauman over the whitewash (12-6).
In the 23rd minute a SKW forward ploughed over in the corner for an unconverted try, followed by a penalty to take the lead (12-14).
In the 43rd minute the visitors stretched their lead with another penalty goal (12-17).
In the 57th minute Berge’s hard working lock Shane Kennedy crossed in the corner to level the scores and barely three minutes later the visitors scored their second try, this time converted, to take the score to 17-24.
In the 71st minute flanker Kurt Titus scored Berge’s third try, converted by replacement flyhalf Darren Hendricks to level the scores once again (24-24).
In the moments before the final whistle, Koul crashed over in the corner and Hendricks added the extras for a 31-24 bonus-point victory.
St George’s had a stellar away performance in their clash against NTK, bursting at the start with the quickest try in Super League A history, just 20 seconds from kick-off as Duwayne Raubenheimer, who also scored a hat-trick of tries, dotted over.
Another try was scored by the captain and ever reliable Fabian Filander, who was amazing on defence with Dillon Wagner at inside centre. Curtley Hendrikse kicked a conversion and penalty to round up the Lulu Boys’ scoring for a 19-25 triumph.
In Super League C, Macassar outplayed Scottsdene-Central with an outright 62-7 victory.
Three tries by Kyle Kruger and a try each for Anwar Benjamin, Dillin Andries, Mark Davids, Luke Philander, Lee Benjamin, Clint Stewart and Leshwin Love, as well as five conversions by Jaden Pieterse and one by Jade Hendricks made up the Macassar scoreline.
Also in Super League C, Strand United suffered a 55-15 loss to Goodwood. United scorers included tries by Fareez Sebastian, Mikaeel la Meyer and Aamir Oliver.
V Other results:
. Northern League: Excelsior 22-23 Raithby Universals, Albions 41-24 Sir Lowrians, Stellenbosch Coronations 18-18 Gordon’s Bay Pioneers.
V Weekend fixtures :
- Super League B: Strand RFC vs Hamediehs (Athlone); All Saints vs Vineyards (Helderzicht).
- Super League C: Macassar vs Busy Bees (Riverside Park); Strand United vs Young Peoples (Paarl).
- Northern League: Raithby Universals vs Windmeul (Raithby); Sir Lowrians vs Blakes RFC (Stellenbosch); Gordon’s Bay Pioneers vs Whistling Wheels (Eerste River).
