Jeppe secure win over Diamantveld

Their Griqua-counterparts were keen to hit the ground running after the holiday.

Diamantveld was awarded a penalty immediately after kick off, but failed to make use of the possession. Jeppe struggled in the first scrum of the match but rectified it soon afterwards and won the ball in the following scrum.

Denzel Hill took the ball up for Jeppe and they soon found themselves deep in the opposition’s half. A line-out on the try line was an exciting prospect for the Jeppe Boys who used the strength of their forwards to create a driving maul, which was not countered.

Jeppe took an early 5-0 lead.

The boys from Kimberley hit back hard and took the game to their hosts.

A successful running game was used throughout the match and soon enough they found themselves in sight of points.

A powerful defence withstood the first wave of attack but Diamantveld used the next line out to find a gap and opened their account.

A fierce raid was unleashed by Jeppe. Diamantveld, however, was equal to the task. Outstanding defence was shown as they countered the ball from being spread wide.

Jacques Nel troubled Jeppe and while defending his try line, received the ball off of a scrum. He proceeded to send Diamantveld onto the attack. His efforts were in vain as S’Busiso Nkosi broke away from a scrum on Jeppe’s try line. Points looked certain but a forward pass ended the run.

Neither team could fully assert themselves on the other, as promising attacks were ended by quality defence or shabby handling. However, impressive rucking from the likes of Andile Ngobe and Andrew Acton, the captain, moved Jeppe deep into opposition territory. Dudlee White-Sharpley, vice-captain, used the pressure his team had built up to penetrate a gap and hand Jeppe the lead.

A wave of momentum hit the home side and the supporters were treated to splendid display of running rugby. The ball was kept between three attackers thanks to nifty offloads and the ball was sent wide to Emmanuel Morowane, who scored the try. This signalled half time, as Jeppe lead 17-7.

Jeppe continued the attack in the second half. After a few phases in Diamantveld territory, an overlap was created. This gave debutant Joshua Allen the gap, as he scored a try.

Diamantveld seemed to have had the wind taken from their sails and a poor line-out effort in Jeppe’s half allowed the home side to continue to dictate terms.

The speedy back line helped Jeppe back onto the attack and they held the advantage due to an infringement in play. Soon after this, Jeppe was awarded a line-out on the opposition’s try line. A maul was created, and Jeppe extended their lead to 31-7.

The deficit was significant, but the visitors found inspiration as two of their players used guile and speed off a set piece to penetrate the Jeppe defensive line. The ball had been grounded in among the pile of players.

The match grew chaotic as both units looked to go on the offensive. However, little could be done to stop Jeppe’s final try. Sandile Sibande received the ball off a scrum in the midfield and weaved through the defence with great speed.

The Diamantveld backline sieged Jeppe off a set piece in the final movement of the match to weave through the defences, and score a consolation try.

A memorable game of rugby ended and Jeppe emerged as the victors, with a final score of 36-19.