Slump in form continues
Brakpan Rugby Club’s first XV suffered their first home defeat at Bosman Stadium in four years, in the Valke Peregrine League, on Saturday, June 7, losing against old rivals Springs.
After slipping up at PG Park, in Boksburg, the weekend prior to this game, it was crucial for Brakpan to win this one and remain in the chase for the number one position and automatic qualification to the 2015 Cell C Community Cup.
With Boksburg Rugby Club slipping up in Orkney, against Vaal Reefs, it is not all doom and gloom for the “Panne”.
The game against Springs was as close it could possibly be, with the scores tied at 22-22 until the final hooter sounded, when Springs managed to slot a penalty to win 25-22.
Club chairman Harry Nieuwenhuis was not completely disappointed with the result, and is still positive.
“They [Springs] deserved the result and they never gave up,” he said.
“We were the better team in the first half, but by then it was too late.
“Dewald Nel [fly half] unfortunately did not have a good game with the boot, and we missed many kicks at goal that could have won us the game.
“The problems with our line outs still remain a mystery; this was our strongest attacking asset in the last three years, but it has been our Achilles’ heel this year.”
The chairman added that the club will stay positive going into the second round of matches, in two weeks’ time, in order to ensure qualification to the 2015 Cell C Community Cup.
“It is not impossible at this stage, but we would much rather qualify automatically, as we do not want to get involved in qualifying games against the Bulls’ and Lions’ second-placed clubs.”
- Try-scorers for Brakpan on Saturday were Thinus Ueckermann (two), Matthews Mtshali and Dean van der Merwe.
- Other results: Brakpan’s second XV won 19-7, the third XV won 67-0 and the u-21 team won 33-14.
