Riversmead rugby Warriors stand firm against Impis’ late charge
It was a cracking game, and one which had the coaching staff a touch anxious at times.
STUDENTS are used to receiving lessons, some they may not necessarily like, but which are usually useful.
This may have been the case for the visiting UKZN Impis, who went down 37-19 to the Riversmead South Coast Warriors at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground last Saturday.
If there is anything they could take home, or tell other teams due to visit, it’s that the Warriors will defend every inch of their turf.
The Warriors started the game in breezy fashion, running in a number of tries and opening up a big lead.
At one point the Impis’ captain tried, seemingly in vain, to encourage his team while standing under the posts facing another conversion kick.
In all honesty the visitors appeared spent.
On a sun-soaked autumn afternoon it initially looked like the Warriors would win this one at a canter.
Clearly, the humiliating loss against defending champions Durban Collegians at King’s Park last Saturday had stung as the Warriors came out with a major point to prove.
Tries seemed easy to come by and the locals took a pretty big lead into the second half.
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The second half, however was a completely different story as the Impis ran in two quick tries to get back into within touching distance.
After that, with the score 31-19, they camped in the Warriors’ quarter for what seemed like forever, but they could just not breach the fortress.
The Warriors showed some serious mettle and resolve in defence. It was impressive to watch.
The final score was 37-19 with Jaques Petzer-Moore calmly slotting two late penalties.
Interestingly, the Warriors have mixed things up a bit this season.
Tienie Viljoen, usually in the backline, is now playing eighth man. He got binned late in the match for obstruction and was less than impressed. You could hardly blame him as it was a tough call.
Former skipper turned coach Juan van den Berg, who is supposed to have retired, could not resist the urge to get back into the thick of things and came on as a super-sub at flank, then lock and also at eighth man.
However, he hadn’t been on the park for very long when he was sent to the time-out chair for 10 minutes, for a high tackle.
To both their credit they were huge in defence when they got back on.
The Impis also had a player binned at one point, so it did get a bit scrappy at times.
One area of concern for the Warriors has to be the frequent knock-ons.
It is still early in the year so the rust is being worked out but if they want to claim some scalps this season that is an area that needs some tidying up.
Still, it was a gutsy effort and they deserved the win.
The game was played in a pretty good spirit with Warriors giving Impis a tunnel walk-off and the Impis reciprocating.
Players of the match were Jaques Petzer-Moore and Austin de Bruyn.
Tries were scored by Jayden Onkers, Divan van Eeden, JP Roetz, Lourens Stapelberg and Theo Nicholls.
Next game is against the Zululand Rhinos in Empangeni this Saturday (8th).
Then there is a bye for the Warriors on April 15, followed by a league bye on the 22nd.
So, the next home game is against Varsity College at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground on Saturday, April 29.
Warriors team:
1 Chris Sharpe (Brendon Rademeyer); 2 Yagyaa Crook; 3 Lourens Stapelberg (Jade Nyman); 4 Austin de Bruyn; 5 Armand Grobler; 6 Joseph du Preez (Juan van den Berg); 7 Dawie Durrheim; 8 Tienie Viljoen; 9 Chris Mitchell (captain); 10 Jaques Petzer-Moore; 11 JP Roetz; 12 Divan van Eeden; 13 Jayden Onkers (Theo Nicholls); 14 Greg Claasen; 15 Marchell Sass.
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