Nelspruit teaches Malalane a lesson

Nelspruit gave Malalane a rugby lesson on their home field this past Saturday in the Lowveld Senior League Top 5.

The day started out well with the usual supporters parked in their spots, cooler boxes out and starting the braai fires. Nelspruit’s teams were gathered in the corner of the field in the shade, warming up. The loyal pavilion supporters were warming up their voices, getting ready for the game.

The second teams ran out onto the field to the loud cheer of their supporters but unfortunately it was not a good day for the home team. Nelspruit ran holes through their defence and proved to be the fitter team scoring a whopping 48-0 and leaving spectators heartbroken.

The performance of the first teams was easier to watch as Jan-Hendrik Odendaal on wing and Frikkie Odendaal on centre had a brilliant game, showing off their skills and power. Again this was not good enough. Nelspruit held their defence not giving Malalane any gaps. The backline was scrambling to find a path to the tryline.

Trailing 21-7 Malalane had to pull out all the stops in the second half and worked double time to close the points difference. The spectators were on their feet as Malalane burst loose and scored a try and made the conversion, adding much-needed points to the scoreboard. Nelspruit however, answered right back and scored another try and conversion.

Hope was not lost yet, and Malalane played to the last minute scoring the last points of the game with a drop kick, but it was not enough. Nelspruit walked off with a victory of 28-17.