Northerns’ fight back in vain as Nigel takes league honours
Nigel scored six tries compared to Northerns' three as they clinched the trophy in a dominant performance.
The Benoni Northerns Storm first team’s late resurgence in their Valke Merlin League final against Nigel on September 14 when Allan Janse van Rensburg and Bradin Anderson led crossing the whitewash, came a little too late as Nigel grabbed the bragging rights.
On the ropes and staring defeat in the eyes, there was some hope among the faithful that after Janse van Rensburg and Anderson went over, a comeback was on the cards.
But time had already matured and perhaps if the game was played a little longer than 80 minutes, something could have materialised.
Buoyed by a raucous crowd shouting, ‘Let’s go Northerns, let’s go’ on the Barnard Stadium main field stands, such was their never-say-die attitude that they lost the final, having fought relentlessly.
There was belief the Storm would mount a comeback, but it was a tough ask, especially because they were trailing 41-10 at that point.
Janse van Rensburg crossed the chalk first after captain Dorian Robertson and Anderson combined to set up the full-back.
Anderson converted before forcing through traffic to cross the whitewash for the Storm’s third try.
The flyhalf converted again to make it 41-22, but it was too late as Nigel beat them for the third successive match to clinch the league title.
Poor start
It was a start the Storm would want to forget quickly. After going ahead through Anderson’s boot in the fourth minute, Nigel pressured them from that moment, put their foot on the gas, kept possession and sent them back into the deep areas.
That led to two tries within four minutes. First, it was Rhys Thompson in the 10th minute and Craig Pienaar followed in the 14th minute, with Lincoln Baatjies converting both tries as Nigel raced into an early 14-3 lead.
After the water break, Odwa Gcobo grabbed Nigel’s third in the 23rd minute before Baatjies added a penalty to make it 22-3.
But the Storm got a breakthrough when they finally smashed the Nigel wall as Ernest Ehlers broke free for the five-pointer. Anderson converted to send the game into the break, with Nigel leading 22-10.
Punishment
The nightmare continued for the Storm as they conceded another try a minute into the second half and from there; it was one-way traffic as Nigel added two more tries against the run of play.
Thompson grabbed his second of the day before flanker Keanan Mouton added another as substitute Jannes van Dyk made it 36-10 through the boot. Steven Kok sealed it in the 57th minute when he went in near the line for Nigel’s sixth touchdown.
Janse van Rensburg and Anderson’s late onslaught could only reduce the deficit as Nigel ended the season on top.
Scores:
Benoni 22 – tries: Ernest Ehlers, Allan Janse van Rensburg and Bradin Anderson; conversions: Anderson (2); penalty: Anderson.
Nigel 41 – tries Rhys Thompson (2), Craig Pienaar, Odwa Gcobo, Keanan Mouton and Steven Kok; conversions: Lincoln Baatjies (30) and Jannes van Dyk; penalty: Baatjies.
Also Read: Oosies se rugbymanne maak skool trots
Also Read: VIDEO: Budding rugby stars impress at Valke Youth League
Gallery:
