IN PHOTOS: Strong second half gives White River victory over Barberton
The rival clubs put on a thrilling match for their supporters at Coronation Park.
Barberton and White River rugby clubs continued their fierce rivalry at Coronation Park on Saturday, June 7. The team from White River had an error-filled first half, but came back strong in the second to win 36-20.
White River scored first after Barberton had failed to put a penalty kick into touch and gifted the visitors possession. The attack was finished off by full back, Jacques Larkins and scrum half Divan Janse van Rensburg kicked the conversion.
Barberton hit back immediately, securing possession from the restart. Eighthman Gerrit Engelbrecht claimed the try and Robert Malan converted.
A penalty goal from fly half Bernick Bezuidenhout gave Barberton a 10-7 lead. White River battled in the set pieces, denying themselves the possession needed to control the match.
In the 30th minute White River’s Juan Bester broke away from a scrum and caught the Barberton defenders napping to score a try. Janse van Rensburg slotted the conversion.
A late first-half penalty goal from the boot of Malan took the score to 14-13 in favour of the visitors.
White River corrected their errors in the second half to dominate Barberton.
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Boeta Botha scored a try for White River in the 43rd minute, which Janse van Rensburg converted. Bester claimed his second try shortly afterwards, taking full advantage of poor defence from the home side. Janse van Rensburg kicked the conversion for a 28-13 lead.
Barberton hit back with a try from Cauwen Mabila, converted by Malan, but White River’s dominance was overpowering. In the 30th minute Botha sliced through the home team’s defence and offloaded to Bester to score his third try. The conversion attempt failed.
A late penalty goal from Janse van Rensburg sealed White River’s victory.
The visitors were too clinical for the home team – Barberton’s defence was poor and they lacked finesse in the latter stages of the game. White River started out slowly, but as the match progressed they lifted their game to claim a deserved victory.
On Saturday, June 7, the Rooikatte defeated Malelane 40-31 in Lydenburg.
The Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League semi-finals will be played on Saturday, June 14. Hazyview Rugby Club will host Ngodwana Rugby Club, and Matsulu Rugby Club will play the Ratels at Malelane Rugby Club.
