The Owls narrowly beat Northerns in Peregrine League encounter

Boksburg Rugby Club claimed a 31-29 victory against Benoni Northerns in a lively Valke Peregrine League encounter on July 2 at Northerns grounds.

It was a superb effort from start to finish as both ran in five tries each with Boksburg’s Henry Pike slotting home three conversions compared to the home side’s two.

Despite the loss, Herman de Beer’s side took the game to the Owls with the forwards tackling harder and throwing their weight in the scrum. They were a much-improved side, showing glimpses of brilliance in both attack and defence.

Fans were treated to a game that had all the ingredients; guts, attitude, speed, hunger, physicality and will to claim the bragging rights.

It was a game of cat and mouse with no side claiming total control of the contest. Things got off to a rolling start and with the very first attack of the game, Northerns’ Jan Louw went over the chalk for the game’s first try. Jarrod Geral converted to put his team 7-0 up.

The home side kept up the momentum and moments later, fullback Stephan Ludik went over to score a try.

Following an exchange of passes down the left-wing, the ball fell to lock Jiovanni Botha who was tackled and from the resultant ruck, scrum-half Jason Mitchel passed to Ludik who side-stepped a Boksburg player to go in unchallenged.

The Owls slowly awoke from their slumber to take control of the game. Their response came quickly as inside centre Dieter de la Port went over down the left-wing. Pike converted to begin his team’s fightback.

Hooker Travis Howell grabbed Boksburg’s second try moments later. Pike converted again to put his team 14-12 up.

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The Owls’ fightback was led by the side’s combative front row with tight-head Nkateko Ngonyama the instigator.

Against the run of play, Botha claimed a five-metre line-out and Northerns launched a powerful driving maul which wheeled to the side and the carrier peeled off but was stopped. From the ensuing ruck, the ball was thrown like a missile to the right-wing but Boksburg’s defence was rock solid. The ball came back to the left side and the visitors’ defence was breached by Geral who went over to grab the five-pointer.

Boksburg launched an attack of their own moments later. After winning a line-out, they launched a maul and Damian Diedericks forced his way to the side to score. Pike converted to make it 19-17 at halftime.

The Boksburg steamrolling machine led by their front row breathed life into the game while Northerns fly-half Jeff Geral displayed some silk skills with Botha throwing his massive weight hard in the tackles.

The second half began with Boksburg adding to their tally after De La Port went over the chalk for his second of the day and his team’s fourth.

The home team responded immediately with a try by winger Leeroy Nzara. Geral converted to make it 24 all.

With the scores tied, Northerns looked like they were taking the contest when Louw grabbed his second five-pointer after overpowering several Boksburg players to put his team in the lead.

Boksburg would, however, have the last laugh as substitute Craig Hutchison added his name to the scoresheet to equalise. Pike converted to seal a 31-29 win for his team.

Scorers:

Northerns: Tries – Jan Louw (2) Jarrod Geral, Stephan Ludik and Leeroy Nzara
Conversions: Geral (2)

Boksburg: Tries – Dieter de la Port (2), Travis Howell, Damian Diedericks and Craig Hutchison
Conversions: Henry Pike (3)

Boksburg’s second team beat Benoni Northerns’ second team 17-10.

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