CCC Brakpan Rugby Club did not have the greatest Easter weekend at the Heritage Tournament in Pretoria.
They could only muster up one draw and two defeats in their three matches against Witbank, Pretoria and Wolverines.
Brakpan started the weekend with a 16-all draw with Witbank, last Thursday. Vernon du Preez and Divan Brooderyk were the try-scorers, with Anrich Richter slotting two penalties over.
Brakpan then rotated their squad for Saturday’s match against a powerful Pretoria Rugby Club side. Despite playing with new players, they still pushed their opponents to the end and lost 24-17. Danny Keyser and Sheldon Coetzee were the try-scorers in that one. Jonathan Jacobs converted both tries and kicked over a penalty.
On Monday, Brakpan was in another close affair against Wolverines, where they fell 31-27 short. This was one match the side from Ekurhuleni will feel they could have clinched, as they came so close. Franco Booysen, Maurizio Roets, PJ Beukes and Coetzee all dotted down. Richter and Beukes each converted a try, with the former kicking one penalty over.
There is no doubt that Brakpan proved to be a match for all three opponents as certain small moments are what cost them the game in the end. Missed conversions or slight errors here and there proved to be costly for the side from Bosman Stadium.
While they did not win any matches at the tournament, Brakpan will take heart in knowing they can match some of the top teams in the country. All of this while they had to play in tough conditions caused by relentless rain throughout the weekend.
They have a chance to regroup this week as they have a bye before they host Springs in the Valke Peregrine League next weekend.
