Malelane Rugby Club celebrates the year’s victories
The Malelane Rugby Club ended their year by handing out trophies to the top players and socialising at the Crocodile Lapa last Saturday evening.
Malelane Rugby Club celebrated a year of triumphs over tough competitors and dedication at the Crocodile Lapa near Malalane last Saturday evening.
The club’s second team made it to the finals of the Mayor’s Reserve League and the first team to the semi-finals of the Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League.
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The coaches, sponsors, players and their understanding girlfriends and wives were thanked for their invaluable support and the management for their efforts in keeping the club up and running.
The Mpumalanga Rugby Union president, AG Visser and vice-president, Arrie Myburg, were also in attendance.
Visser handed over the droogmaker van die jaar trophy, which he also received when he played for the Olifante. Benji van Niekerk was this year’s recipient and gamely downed the trophy full of beer.
The top award of player of the year went to Jan-Adam van der Westhuizen in the first team and Lucky Mashele in the second team.
Other award winners were:
• Most improved player: Jason van Heerden (second team) and Mandla Shongwe (first team)
• Most loyal player: Sarel Pretorius (second team) and Arno Hoffman (first team)
• Best tackle: Mandlankosi Sibiya (second team) and Frans van der Merwe (first team)
• Most tries: Mthombisi Nkambule (second team) and Emil Dorey (first team)
• Most versatile player: Pointer Mhlongo (second team) and Alex de Kock (first team)
• Players’ player of the year: Carel van der Westhuizen (second team) and Phil-Lee George (first team)
• Coaches’ player of the year: Reef Masilela and Juan-Dré Kruger (second team) and Moses Ngwenya (first team)
• Forward of the year: George Smit (second team) and Elricht Boucher (first team)
• Backline player of the year: Mfundo Mabuna (second team) and Daniel du Preez (first team).
It was a tough year for the club and the players are determined to do even better in 2019. Practice will resume early next year and, in February, rugby fans can look forward to the popular weekend tournament featuring teams from across the Lowveld and several other provinces.
READ: Club teams test their mettle at annual friendlies
Keep up to date with the latest happenings at the club, as well as match fixtures by visiting the Malelane Rugby Club players’ and supporters’ Facebook page.
