The charges of Strand RFC proved too strong for neighbours Strand United in the Super League C (SLC) derby played at Abattoir Sports Ground on Saturday (16 July).
The visitors maintained their unbeaten run for the season, convincingly running out 16-36 victors in the only SLC match of the weekend. This was Liga’s 10th consecutive victory, while their second and under-20 teams were also triumphant on the day, recording 3-15 and 0-24 victories, respectively.
Despite the great log-point disparity between the top-ranked Strand RFC and the bottom-of-the-log Strand United, the contest of the clubs’ first teams was a tough tussle as players put their bodies on the line for their respective badges, as is always the case with Helderberg derby duels. United, who before this weekend’s encounter had only two wins from six matches, were expected to be more comfortable at home at the Kraal, but Liga’s dominance prevailed in the end.
The visitors ran in five tries, with Mark Sylvester, Rezaar Ramjee, Randall van Wyk and Kurt Sylvester all dotting down, and Sidney van Niekerk scoring a brace. Fly-half Stewart Jacobs, who was on kicking duty, added to his side’s overall tally with his kicking boot.
The club’s coaches praised the forward pack, including the substitutes, for delivering a solid performance that aided in the victory. They singled out the individual performances by the centre pairing of Van Wyk and Diego Visagie, who dominated on attack and defence.
For United, Tayeb Jacobs managed to cross the whitewash for a five-pointer, while Wesley Josephs was on target with the conversion and two penalty kicks.
