Benoni bounce back with first win of the season
It was exactly what the doctor ordered for Benoni Rugby Club when they hosted Vaal University of Technology (VUT) at home, on Saturday, April 16.
Following their heavy defeats at the hands of Brakpan the previous week, the club’s first and second teams needed a good pick-me-up in this weekend’s Valke Peregrine League clashes.
At their Hoërskool Hans Moore home base, Benoni’s second XV came out guns blazing in the first half, but, despite their best efforts, did not manage to open the scoring in the first 40 minutes (3-0 to VUT at half-time).
Coaches Marius Theunissen and Martin Venter gathered the troops at the interval and had some stern words for the players, which seemed to rejuvenate them.
Brilliant attacking play and good communication led to two fantastic unconverted tries by veteran Barry van Tonder (reserve hooker) and youngster Gerald van der Venter (number eight), in answer to the visitors’ one try in the second half.
The match ended in a 10-10 draw.
Benoni’s first XV had a good day at the office against the men from the Vaal.
Despite the fact that VUT opened the scoring with a well-aimed penalty in the 12th minute of the game, the Benoni players kicked into gear as inside centre Takkie van Staden crashed over the whitewash in the 19th minute, for Benoni’s first five-pointer.
The Benonians started gaining confidence and took the battle to a positive VUT side, who never for stood back against the red tide.
Another two penalties from VUT gave the visitors a 9-5 lead, but the Benoni outfit were not planning on trailing at the break.
Scrumhalf Jean van Niekerk scored Benoni’s second try in the 38th minute, with fly-half Marius Bezuidenhout making sure of the extra two points to give the hosts the lead at the end of the first 40 minutes, with the score at 12-9
VUT came out on the front foot in the 43rd minute, to score their only try of the match, and that was enough to fire up the Benoni young guns.
Winger JP Bryder (49th minute), fullback Bruce Ashton (56th minute), a second try for van Niekerk (65th minute) and a last minute try from number eight Jacques Dorfling sealed the deal.
Bezuidenhout added two conversions to the tally to give the Benoni side their first victory of the season, with the score at 36-14.
“The win was the turn-around that this underrated young side from Benoni needed,” said Tiana Oosthuizen, club secretary.
The Benoni first XV also revealed their new 2016 competition kit on Saturday.
The players, coaching team and club management thanked Botha and Deysel Motors and North Rand Motors for their sponsorship.
The club will travel to Boksburg this coming weekend, to play against East Rand United.
Kick-off for the second XV match will be at 2.40pm, while the first team gets going at 4pm.
