After winning the semi-final match against UCT at City Park in Athlone on Saturday (16 September), Helderberg Rugby Club is through to the Super A final against Maties at the same venue this coming Saturday (23 September).
UCT were early out of the blocks with a converted try by their number eight Kobus van der Walt, the extras by flyhalf Frederick Rademan (0-7).
Helderberg soon responded with a storming run by their captain and number eight, Conway Pretorius. The conversion unfortunately failed (5-7).
Ikeys were rampant and from a full line movement left-wing Tarqive Ryland scored their second try for Rademan to convert (5-14).
Berge capitalised on errors by the students and scrumhalf Michael Visser succeeded with two penalty kicks (11-14 half-time).
Five minutes into the restart, Rademan added a penalty (11-17). In the 55th minute hooker Danie Myburgh crossed the line for a fine try in the corner (16-17), and in the 62nd minute Visser fed Pretorius with a long pass for the number eight to score his brace, again in the far corner (21-17).
In the 76th minute replacement flanker Jady Labuschagne scored his team’s fourth try, which Visser successfully converted, taking the winning score to 28-17.
A great team effort on the day with a lot of credit to the man of the match, Conway Pretorius, and the coaches, Koos Eksteen and Lin Beukes.
In the Super League C semi-finals, Macassar RFC just slipped short of victory and automatic promotion when they clashed against Hamediehs RFC.
Macassar drew first blood and scored early thanks to an unconverted try by Kyle Cookson. They then appeared subdued and, despite many opportunities presenting itself for the MC Boys, they struggled to make the most of it on the day. Both teams scored two tries in the first half as Macassar held the lead at the break (12-13).
Hamediehs took the lead in the second half after a drop-kick and played valiantly to score another try and clinch the win.
According to Macassar RFC chairperson Stuart Afrika it was just not their day. “Our forwards were great in the first half and put lots of pressure on the opponents, and our backs were in the game, but we just couldn’t finish moves off despite chances to score.”
He said although the loss was a hard pill to swallow they were grateful for the large contingent of supporters who came out in MC Boys colours on the day. “This is not the last roll of the dice as we still have a chance at promotion during the play-offs. We play this Saturday at City Park against Kraaifontein RFC for the third-place finish and the winner plays a play-off match for promotion. So there’s still a chance and we encourage our players, fans and supporters to get behind the team and we will not disappoint.”
In front of a packed Sir Lowry’s Pass sports grounds, the much-anticipated Top 9 Promotion league derby between Sir Lowrians and Strand United ended with United taking honours by 31-18.
The visitors started like a house on fire with number 8 Moenier Davids bulldozing his way over the try line in the second minute after ferocious play by the United forwards.
Things did not get better for Sir Lowrians after the restart, as the United forwards yet again went on the rampage up to the Sir Lowrians 22 m area, then gave the ball to their slick backs for full-back Marlin Sauls to score in the corner for another unconverted try, taking the score to 10-0.
To the hosts’ credit, they found their rhythm when most would be shell-shocked. United found themselves scrambling on defence once Randy Brinkhuis and Tervin Brits turned up the gas as Sir Lowrians replied with a beautiful try in the corner (10-5). The fight-back continued as a penalty for the Navy Train narrowed the gap to 10-8.
Strand United then seemed to wake from their slumber and took full control of the remainder of the first half scoring a converted try by Lutfi Ruiters. (Halftime: 17-8).
The second half saw beautiful derby rugby by both teams, but United took their chances better as flyhalf Ameer Oliver and then wing Aaqib Arnold scored converted tries, before Sir Lowrian’s consolation try made the final score 31-18.
Strand United secured promotion back to Super League C and now face Whistling Wheels in a final league match to secure the Top 9 League outright.
