The first team of Macassar RFC delivered a solid performance to claim a 31-19 victory over bottom-placed Rangers RFC in a Super League C encounter at Riverside Park on Saturday (19 August).
Rangers played with tremendous energy considering they have not been at the end of good results. The men from Surrey Estate produced commendable defensive displays at times, as they capitalised on the MC Boys’ and managed to notch up 19 points in the clash.
The home side showed their intent from the outset as they looked dominant throughout the outing. Their loose-forward trio comprising the influential eighthman Gurston Cupido and flankers Owen Williams and Werner Williams were sublime on the day. Similarly, livewire fullback Heinrich Koekman outshone the visitors’ influential Shuaib “Bom” Shamaai.
While the visitors struggled in the setpieces, they gave Macassar a working over in the breakdown department and the hosts were penalised in that area, allowing the visitors to cross over for the first converted score (0-7).
The MC Boys regained their momentum straight afterwards, as the visitors failed to suppress their opponents’ relentless pressure.
The ball landed into Koekman’s hands and the playmaker dazzled and darted through defenders to score a fine try (5-7).
The MC Boys continued to separate themselves from their error-strewn opponents as they added three more scores through Marvin Koopman, Breyton Kleyn and a sublime individual effort from centre Dylan Jafta to end the first half 24-7.
There was some cheer for the flat-footed Rangers as they managed to add two additional scores in the second stanza, but the home side provided the entertainment with unmatched work rate and tenacity.
Howard Lottering added the last of the five tries for the home side as the match ended 31-19 in favour of the hosts.
While Macassar have secured a definite home quarter-final, they can still end in second place on the log, depending on results in the final league fixtures between Kraaifontein RFC (fifth) and Hamediehs RFC (third). If the latter fails to pick up any points, Macassar will end second and qualify for the semi-finals. Clubs in position one and ywo qualify automatically for the semi-finals. Positions three to six will play quarter finals.
“I’m very happy with what we achieved so far. You always know it’s going to be tough if you pick up injuries and don’t have the depth,” said Macassar’s coach Chris Langeveldt.
Added assistant coach Carlo le Roux: “We gave a lot of youngsters opportunities to this year. After a long season and play-offs ahead, suddenly those guys, like Koekman and Kyle Cookson, have become men.”
Other results:
V Super League A – St George’s 42-17 Maties; Helderberg 26-22 Unimil. V Super League B – SK Walmers 52-14 Strand RFC. V Top 9 Promotion: Pool A – Strand United 42-0 Titans; Sir Lowrians 15-15 Elsies River. Pool B: Gordon’s Bay Pioneers 46-17 Young Stars.
