Ballito Dolphins finish off season with a bang
Although league fixtures are done for the year, make sure not to miss out on the SA Legends vs Ballito Madalas game next month.
The Ballito Dolphins Rugby Club capped an exciting season with three wins in their last four matches.
The North Coast’s big men reaped the rewards of a full pre-season to improve on previous years and ready themselves for a title challenge next year.
After taking a while to find their legs, the Dolphins grew in confidence throughout the season, relying on increased fitness to finish fifth in the First Division of KwaZulu-Natal club rugby.
A string of home matches to close also helped to provide inspiration for the team to improve in front of strong home crowd support at Maidstone.
In the final game of the season at home last weekend, the team went to battle against the Mighty Elephants from Pietermaritzburg.
Hoping to end the year on a high note, the men put everything on the line for a strong defensive performance.
The inlanders could only muster a single penalty and unconverted try, both in the first half, as the Dolphins capitalised on the other end.
“An unconverted try and two penalties of our own saw us go into the break 11-8 up. Man of the match Tembz Sibuta, and forward of the match William Proudfoot, both added tries in the second half after a period of scrum dominance,” said Dolphins chairman, Mark Svenningsen.
A 23-8 win will ensure a post-season in high spirits before training for 2024 begins later this year.
Going one better than their first team counterparts, the Dolphins Second XV went unbeaten over their last four matches.
“Wanting to extend the recent winning streak, the seconds were highly motivated. In what turned out to be a highly attritional affair with each side receiving a red card, the Dolphins dug deep to come from behind and seal a 16-8 win!”
“A fitting send off for captain Alex Arndt,” said Svenningsen.
Although league fixtures are done for the year, make sure not to miss out on the SA Legends vs Ballito Madalas game next month.
The annual match is highly awaited and always quietly competitive when some familiar faces from the South African rugby scene lace up their boots.
It is scheduled for September 2 at Manor House in Sheffield. Keep an eye on the Dolphins’ social media to stay up to date.
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