Benoni fall out of tournament
Benoni Rugby Club's first and second teams travelled to Boksburg, for the Assupol Super Club Series, on Saturday, March 29, following a tough first three matches in the tournament, where winning results have been hard to come by.
The Benoni teams were looking to bounce back against Boksburg at PG Park, but things started off unsatisfactorily for the away team, when Boksburg opened with the first try within the first five minutes of the match.
The Benoni firsts were flatfooted for most of the first half and struggled to find any rhythm.
Boksburg’s attack came hard at the Benoni team, but their defence held up well for long periods, until their opponents slipped through to score another try before the break.
A single penalty was all the visitors had to show at halftime.
The first XV came into the second half with renewed vigour and managed to get onto the scoreboard seven minutes in, courtesy of a try from hooker Sarel du Plessis, after some enterprising play from the Benoni forwards.
It seemed like Benoni had come out of their first half slumber as they put more and more pressure on the opposition, but their cause was jeopardised when they conceded a few penalties and had a yellow card handed out to one of their players.
Du Plessis again went over for a wonderful try after scrumhalf Quin van der Nest caught the opposition napping from a quick tap.
He dodged a string of Boksburg defenders before handing the ball to the hooker, who dotted down.
Morne Rossouw was very good with the boot and gave Benoni the lead for the first time in the match, with the score at 17-16.
The Benoni team’s lead was short-lived, though, as the team conceded another penalty, as well as a try in the dying minute of the match, to lose 26-17.
The loss ends the team’s involvement in the tournament.
“It was a better performance from Benoni, even though we were not switched on in the first half,” said Steve Myburgh, public relations officer for Benoni Rugby Club.
“We did well to come in rather close against Boksburg and have a month off now, to regroup before the Valke League starts.”
The second XV welcomed back a few key players to the team and held Boksburg to a score of 10-10 at halftime, but conceded two late tries to lose 24-10.
The club has scheduled a friendly on Thursday, April 3, versus East Rand Police, at Hoërskool Hans Moore.
The second XV will play at 6.30pm and the first will play at 8.30pm.
- Benoni Rugby Club is urgently in need of more u-21 rugby players to join the club.
For more information contact Myburgh on 083 235 6259.
