WATCH: Warriors defeat Klerksdorp to defend 7s rugby title but not without a battle
There was a real buzz at the ground, despite the suffocating February heat.
AS dark clouds rolled in, swept across the sky by a south-easterly wind, the Status Warriors stormed to victory in the annual 7s rugby tournament held at Douglas Mitchell Sports Club last Saturday.
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The tournament is now sponsored by Halfway Ford, Mazda and Hyundai and attracted more teams than last year, many travelling from quite some distance to come and play.
In the final, the Status Warriors beat Klerksdorp, boasting a former Warriors player in Jeandré Koekemoer, by three tries to two in a gripping game, played in very gloomy light (with the floodlights on) and on a soggy field that had been beaten to a pulp after so much rugby on the day.
Feisty scrumhalf Chris Mitchell scored first, followed not long after by flyhalf/centre Theo Nicholls.
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The Warriors had played downwind in the first half, and director of coaching Christo Henderson warned that the second half would be tougher.
It was, with Klerksdorp dotting down soon after the break to bring some roar back into their supporters’ voices.
For the next while it was something of a tug o’ war in mid field, with neither side budging.
“This is a great final,” said one of the Warriors’ fans, Eugene Naudé, watching from the side of the field.
Of course his team was winning at that stage …
Finally, Tienie Viljoen burst down the left side to score what would be the winning try, with cheers erupting from along side the field and up in the clubhouse.
Klerksdorp scored on the hooter to narrow the score, but by then the win had been secured.
Jason Hector, who has joined the local rugby coaching set-up, (and is from the UK) felt the Warriors had displayed some pretty good fitness, and that it was a springboard for the season that lay ahead.
Bowl final winners were Empangeni Rhinos, who denied the Sharks Academy SKZN in the final seconds of the game.
Shield winners were Doug Strachan’s South Coast Breakers.
There were quite a few injuries on the day, with at least four players being taken to hospital for further treatment to either ankle, knee or rib injuries.
Warriors newcomer Keagan Barry had to leave the field, blood pouring from his mouth, to sort out a split lip.
Anyone thinking 7s is a bit like an advanced game of touch rugby would be sorely mistaken.
Some suffered from dehydration, especially the upcountry players who are not used to the summer humidity on the coast.
And man, it was hot during the day.
By the time the big games were played in the evening, it had mercifully cooled off somewhat.
One of the nice touches on the day was the singing of the national anthem before the final.
On a funnier note, one of the coaches was heard to chirp: “We could have played the first half by now!”
Player of the tournament was Joseph du Preez (despite sporting a shirt with ‘Joubert’ on it, maybe after the Rolls Royce himself André?).
WATCH: David Rush talks to player of the tournament JOSEPH DU PREEZ
The up-and-coming Warriors player was humble in accepting his award, saying he had just enjoyed the day, and simply loves playing rugby.
That, after all, is what it is all about.
Full results to follow.
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