Close call away from home

The Benoni team showed only glimmers of the team they could be as Sasolburg denied them the chance to gain the points that they needed to keep them in a strong position in the race for the play-offs.

The hosts started as the brighter of the two teams and scored two tries within the first 15 minutes, before Benoni could get any momentum.

Sasolburg’s ferocious attacks kept Benoni at bay for some time and it was not until the 20th minute that the visitors managed to get onto the scoreboard with a try by flanker Henk Liebenberg, which was converted by Mornay Rossouw.

Sasolburg scored a try soon after and the teams went into the halftime break 7-17, in the home team’s favour.

Some stern words from Benoni’s coach at halftime seemed to rejuvenate the Benoni XV, who scored two more tries.

They had to play catch-up rugby again, however, after letting in two more tries from Sasolburg.

Benoni came close to victory in the dying embers of the game, but flyhalf Renier de Jager was stopped only 5m from the try line, after a powerful run.

Victory was not to be for Benoni, who now have to win at all costs in their next fixtures, against Nigel and Vaal Reefs.

Only the Benoni u-21s could pull off a win on the day and the young team again showed good composure after the team had a few withdrawals before leaving for Sasolburg again.

The duo of Jacques Dorfling and Henk Liebenberg ran at will and all the players chipped in to make for a thumping 46-0 win.

The Benoni second team were also unlucky not to get the win.

Tries by veteran scrumhalf Martin Venter and a late try by hooker Wessel Duvenage were not enough, as the team lost 12-19.