Raggies end season on high note
When the sides ran onto the pitch, it was in front of the largest crowd of supporters seen at Scottburgh.
ON Friday evening, the Raggies hosted the Amanzimtoti third XV for both sides’ final league fixture of the 2014 DRSU season.
The visitors needed a win to complete their season undefeated, while the Raggies were determined to maintain their perfect record of home wins. On top of this, to beat the league champions would be a tremendous way to end their season.
In my 43 years of association with the club, I have never witnessed such intensity and determination in the dressing room before a match. The only voices heard were those of captain Chad Fisher, coach Des Maclean and, as always, Travis Clarke, who again stirred up the guys with an emotional speech, reminiscent of Churchill’s ‘We will never surrender’. When the sides ran onto the pitch, it was in front of the largest crowd of supporters seen at Scottburgh.
From the get go, the Raggies took the game to their hard and very physical opponents and, 10 minutes into the match, after camping of the Toti try-line for what seemed an eternity, sent Malusi Dube over the chalk.
Myles Usher slotted the conversion kick with ease and the Raggies had an early seven-point lead. The visitors, not expecting the fire they were facing, were kept for the most part in their own 22-metre area and transgressed twice, allowing Milo Usher to add a further six points before the break. The half-time score read 13/0 – Scottburgh up!
The second half saw the Raggies slot another penalty kick. Toti responded with two converted tries, bringing the final score to 16/14 – and a great victory for the home-side!
At the post-match function, it was a very emotional Raggies’ chairman, Steve Leech, who awarded the ‘man of the match’ citation to the Raggies as a whole, the players, subs and management. Congratulations to all!
The club would like to thank Vince Drew and Bryan of Landers Farm for their assistance in preparing the pitch prior to the match; Steve Usher and Mike Powell for their groundkeeping during the season; sponsors Halfway Toyota, County Ford, Wimpy and Ocean Basket (Scottburgh Mall) and numerous others.
A special thank you to Derek and Ronell of the Country Club and, last but not least, you – the loyal supporters who have rolled out in numbers to cheer the team on, in what was a great season!
