Vryheid Rugby Club – Hard work pays off for men in maroon
"Great stuff!" said Van Der Westhuyzen on social media. "Ek is so trots op elke speler. Al die werk wat ons die hele jaar gedoen het gaan nou afbetaal. Diè Saterdag is dit die groot een - die finaal teen Newcastle. Dis die een waarvoor ons gewag het."
VRYHEID Rugby Club’s first and second teams faced Piet Retief in two nailbiting semi-final matches on Saturday, July 11.
The first team played host to Piet Retief in what can only be described as an epic match between two formidable sides, both with an insatiable hunger for victory. Despite the visiting team’s best efforts, however, Vryheid’s mighty men in maroon thwarted their opponents, leaving Piet Retief’s finest lacking at the final whistle, 38 – 15.
Try scorers for Vryheid’s first team were Armandt Holtzhauzen (1); Johan Herbst (2); Dylan Herbst (1); and Captain, Wessie Van Der Westhuyzen (2). Devon Aspden and Johan Herbst placed two conversions each.
Mornè Ellis was Man of the Match for the Backline…
…while Themba Phiri took Man of the Match for the Forwards.
First team Captain, Wessie Van Der Westhuyzen, who has been one of the primary driving forces behind the team’s motivation and success this season never disappoints when it comes to boosting his squad.
“Great stuff!” said Van Der Westhuyzen on social media. “Ek is so trots op elke speler. Al die werk wat ons die hele jaar gedoen het gaan nou afbetaal. Diè Saterdag is dit die groot een – die finaal teen Newcastle. Dis die een waarvoor ons gewag het.”
“Ek wil net dankie se aan almal wat so baie werk doen agter die skerms. Die bestuur doen ‘n fenomenale job,” he added. “Dinsdag is dit harde werk, boys. Maar moenie vergeet nie, die gevoel wat jy nou voel is deur harde werk, so kom ons werk die week vir daardie finaal.”
“Trots op almal van julle, julle is yster. Vryheid – een klap!” concluded the proud Captain.
No strangers to the sweet taste of triumph themselves, Vryheid’s second team travelled to Piet Retief on Saturday, where they faced the home team with their signature courage and fortitude, dedicating themselves to yet another win with unrivalled teamwork and tenacity.
“Motivated and ready for war, we played with heart in this semi-final.” stated second team Coach, Carel Burger, “A turnaround try by Zakes Dlamini and conversion by Johannes Barnard left Piet Retief stunned.”
Contributing to a well earned victory for Vryheid’s second team, tries came from Johannes Barnard (1); Mxolisi Nkosi (1); Zakes Dlamini (1) and Francois Barnard, while Johannes Barnard furthermore added to the winning score with three conversions, leaving the home side trailing by four points at the close of play with a final score of 22 – 26 to the visitors. Man of the match for the Forwards was Francois Barnard and Zakes Dlamini was awarded Man of the Match for the Backline.
“Hierdie manne is wenners!” added Burger, “Baie dankie aan ons borge vir die mooi hemde: Biltong en Braai Slaghuis; Gr8; Inyanga Jeep; Clipper Spice en T3 Timber Traders and Transport. Dankie, ouens. Dit lyk great.”
With both Vryheid Rugby Club’s first and second teams through to the finals against Newcastle next Saturday, July 18, a trip to Newcastle to support the mighty men in maroon seems well worth the effort. At the time of going to press, match times provided are 2:30pm and 4:00pm for the second and first teams respectively.
Watch this space for the gallery of photos from Saturday’s first team semi final match against Piet Retief.
