Vryheid’s firsts to face Highlanders after daring defeat against Piet Retief
Show your support for our boys this Saturday as they go up against Newcastle on home soil in the Semi Finals for their chance at bringing home the cup.
VRYHEID’s second team played against rivals, Piet Retief second team, at Piet Retief, for the Reserve Junior Murray Cup last Saturday.
These two teams have met twice in the league matches and once in the final, where Vryheid just managed to beat them. Although Vryheid’s side has been hampered by a lot of injuries, they managed to put up a big fight against the Piet Retief onslaught.
Vryheid Rugby Club faces off with Piet Retief in two thrilling encounters
Vryheid has unfortunately been knocked out of the competition with their loss of 35 – 20 to Piet Retief’s second team.
Vryheid’s first team were the clear favourites for this Quarter-final Junior Murray Cup Knock-out match against Piet Retief at Piet Retief. The last match between these sides at Piet Retief saw Vryheid scoring at the death to beat the men in black by 1 point. Vryheid has played Piet Retief three times this year, winning all three games with the average score between these two sides at 27 – 23 in Vryheid’s favour.
Vryheid dominated play and territory in the first half against the home side, crossing the whitewash four times. Francois Scheepers, Matthew Stride, Sticks Mbatha and Khumbulani Khoza scored tries in the first half, while Juan ‘Boeboe’ Booyens managed only two conversions to have the halftime score at 24 – 0.
The second half saw a different story unfold, with Piet Retief dominating ruck situations, getting themselves in striking distance to put points on the board. The men in black scored three tries in the second half to rack up their point status to 17. Vryheid scored another three tries, courtesy of Chris van Rooyen, ‘Captain Courageous’ Tinus Scheepers and a second visit to the tryline for Khumbulani Khoza. Booyens managed another two conversions.
At the final whistle, the scoreboard showed a closing score of Piet Retief 17 – 43 Vryheid. This means that Vryheid’s first team will go through to the Semi Final, where they will face Newcastle Highlanders.
This epic match will take place at 3:30pm this Saturday at Vryheid Rugby Club in Cecil Emmett Park, preceded by the Second Division match between Piet Retief and the Highlanders at 2pm.
Show your support for our boys this Saturday as they go up against Newcastle on home soil in the Semi Finals for their chance at bringing home the cup.
As always, the club has gone to great lengths to ensure a fun-filled day for the family by including entertainment for the kids with a jumping castle, face-painting and plenty to eat, provided by our local Spur.
WATCH: Vusi has a message for Vryheid Rugby Club 1 and 2
Vryheid Rugby Club vs Piet Retief – A fight to the end
