The MC Boys were particularly fortunate to walk off the field with a victory in Kleinvlei on Saturday (15 July) after a nail-biting Western Province Super League C derby against Eersterivier RFC.
The men from Eersterivier produced a cantillating second half display that included a last gasp effort in the final stages to bring them within one point, with a conversion to come. The comeback and upset would have been completed, but the missed conversion saw the luck lean to the visitors as the match ended 36-37 in favour of Macassar.
The win means the local lads are now four points behind log leaders Van der Stel Evergreens. Macassar also has a game in hand. The two sides face each other this weekend in what promises to be a thrilling top of the table encounter.
The derby clash on Saturday got off to a blistering start, as the visitors dominated territory and possession. The pace of the first 20 minutes was frenetic as Macassar dazzled the enthusiastic crowd with a masterclass performance. The visitors raced to a 0-34 lead after just 25 minutes of play.
First to cross the line was captain Clint Stewart who bulldozed over from close range. Breyton Kleyn was the star of the show in the first half. The winger secured a brace, but it was his second that was just pure class. Kleyn ran in 80 m as he calved through the defence of the home side. Cheslyn Cyster also contributed to the first half score with a try of his own. Garth de Bruin was on song with two penalties and four conversions as visitors closed the first half 7-34.
The second half started much the same as the first, but this time it was the home side who scored shortly after kick-off with an impressive show of intensity. Macassar looked to control matters with a conservative approach when de Bruin slotted another penalty from close range to keep the scoreboard ticking after a period of sustained pressure (14–37).
Eersterivier, however, had other plans as the home side capitalised on Macassar’s poor discipline and ran in six tries to produce a commendable performance in the second half ending the match 36-37.
It was difficult to pinpoint the lapse in focus from Macassar. A large number of changes shortly after the start of the second period, a superior penalty count and a squandered 30-point lead are questions the coaching staff will have to answer before their next encounter. The all-round performance of flanker Ashley Cyster, especially in that first period, and centre Cyster’s canny jackal ability, including his attacking skills, are promising signs for the remainder of fixtures ahead.
Macassar travel to Stellenbosch to face log leader Van der Stel Evergreens this weekend.
