The long awaited and only Helderberg derby in the Super League B, between All Saints RFC and Strand RFC, was played at Gustrouw Sports Grounds on Saturday 8 June and ended with the “Olla Boys” proving victorious following a nail-biting finish.
Strand RFC showed early confidence and kept the game in the Saints’ 22, as the Strand forwards applied early pressure but failed to convert to points.
All Saints turned the tables and after a wave of attack in the Strand half, scored in the corner through hooker Ashley Warrie. Saints managed another try by prop Leodine Latief, this time converted by centre Aiden January. Strand kept its first-half score alive through penalties by Keanu Cyster, while January also slotted a penalty kick for Saints to end the half at 3-15.
Strand looked dominant in the opening stages of the second half, while Saints was down to 14 men and scoring two tries through Matthew Durr and Cyster. Germaine Jansen converted one of the tries and another penalty as Strand jumped to an 18 -15 lead.
All Saints pulled back the lead through a try by lock Nathan Jacobs, and the conversion by January took the score to 18-22.
Strand gained momentum in the dying moments with many opportunities created in the Saints half, but the local lads’ defence managed to keep Strand at bay to end things in All Saints favour.
“Again it was poor decision making and poor line-outs that let us down,” Strand RFC team manager Lesley Grootboom said. “It was a must-win game for us. With six games to go we’re sitting at the bottom of the log, and now we are fighting for survival. We have to win at least four of the last six games.”
In a very exciting Super League A match in Brookside, Helderberg Rugby Club faced Villager RFC and recovered from a 13-5 scoreline to eventually celebrate a 16-18 victory.
Villager RFC absolutely dominated the first half. In the 24th minute, after two unconverted tries and a penalty goal, Villager RFC were already 13-0 in the lead. In the 39th minute interplay between captain and eighth-man Conway Pretorius and scrumhalf Michael Visser from Berge’s 22, led to an exciting corner try by Pretorius to open Berge’s scoring.
In the 50th minute, after good play by Berge’s hooker Mauritz Swart, he crossed over for his try and Visser converted (13-12).
Soon after, Helderberg took the lead for the first time following a penalty by Visser (13-15).
In the 67th minute Villager RFC took the lead again through another penalty (16–15). The closing stages of the game were intense, with Berge on the attack and were eventually awarded a penalty, kicked by Stewart Jacobs, to steal the win (16-18).
V Other results:
- Super League A: Union Milnerton 42-12 St George’s.
- Super League C: Masiphumelele 8-42 Macassar, Strand United 28–15 Blue Jets.
- Northern League: Gordon’s Bay Pioneers 8-30 Raithby Universals, Sir Lowrians 13-5 Delft.
V Weekend fixtures:
- Super League A: Helderberg vs Union Milnerton (Charles Morkel), St George’s vs Kuils River (Gustrouw).
