Macassar RFC produced a superb performance to clinch a 38-12 victory over rivals Busy Bee RFC at Riverside Park on Saturday afternoon and will go into the next challenge against Masiphumelele as the number one ranked team in Super League C.
Macassar are still unbeaten as they enter the half-way mark of the season. Their attack shape is led by cool-headed flyhalf Luke Philander who forms a formidable halfback pairing with captain Leshwin Love. Their system is heavily depended on intensity and ball retention. Philander is critical in the execution of this. The additions of Dezaarn Jackson at the back of the scrum and stalwart Clint Stewart move to tight five have bolstered the team’s strengths in the tight facets as well. Both teams started the match at a blistering pace trying to exert pressure, but it was the home side who capitalised first, three minutes in when captain Love sniped from close range for a converted try (7-0)
With intensity and physicality from the home side it was not long when winger Breyton Kleyn sprinted down the touchline for his converted score (14-0).
The home-side scrum had early dominance and a series of penalties from set-pieces made it a difficult first quarter for Busy Bee.
The relentless pressure was unmatched and extended their local lads’ lead with a three-score advantage after a Kyle Cookson try just before the half-time close (21-7).
Macassar wasted no time in adding to the tally in the second half when Jackson, the team’s number eight, went over in the corner as the hosts started the second stanza with no stone unturned (26-7). Busy Bee RFC responded with a quickfire score, but the writing was on the wall. They were shell shocked for most of the game and could not get a foothold on the match.
Busy Bee is a strong outfit and could upset a few teams in the league if they can find a system that compliments their strengths. They looked depleted in the last 10 minutes of the match due to their reluctance in preserving energy. Macassar added two more scores through replacement hooker Jeraydo Louis and centre Kyle Kruger, which brought the final score to 38-12.
In Super League B, All Saints slumped to defeat against Vineyards.
Both teams came off narrow losses the prior week and looked eager for a win.
All Saints started off well with the backline creating opportunities out wide. Olla Boys cruised to an early lead through three tries by Aiden January (outside centre), Cheslyn Jack (fullback) and Ruben Peterson (wing). Jack only managed to convert two of the tries.
Major injuries in the first half to All Saints inside centre and full-back impacted the local team’s attacking momentum, and allowed the visitors to pull back two tries and end the half on 19-14.
Vineyards used its forwards well in the second half to jump to a 29-19 lead.
Late in the second half Olla Boys managed two more tries through January’s second score and replacement winger, Robin Petersen. Tied at 29 all in the dying moments, Vineyards shifted the momentum just enough to secure victory (29-34).
V Other results:
. Super League A: Hamediehs 54-15 Strand RFC.
. Super League C:Young Peoples 34-3 Strand United.
. Northern League: Gordon’s Bay Pioneers 21-33 Whistling Wheels; Raithby 47-8 Windmeul.
V Weekend fixtures:
. Super League A: Helderberg vs Villager (away); St George’s vs Uni Mil (away).
. Super League B:All Saints vs Strand RFC (Gustrouw).
. Super League C: Macassar vs Noordhoek (away); Strand United vs Blue Jets (Abbatoir).
. Northern League: Sir Lowrians vs Delft (Sir Lowry’s Pass); Raithby Universals vs Gordon’s Bay Pioneers (Gordon’s Bay).
