IN another sub-par display, Richards Bay FC had to share the points against a side that was clearly inferior but made up for lack of class with superior effort.

Not for the first time, the NRB boys could not handle the sheer grit and determination of opponents who from the first minute showed they had come to unsettle the log leaders, conceding early free kicks after some bruising tackles.

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The disruption continued for the entire 90 minutes, the Cape side refusing to back down from any challenge and employing spoiling tactics effectively.

Neither did they surrender, despite tired bodies and cramping legs, as they were put under pressure in the latter stages.

It was not a game for fancy footwork, or flicks and tricks, and NRB’s usual good-looking and skillful game was nullified by a team that seemed to want the win more and ensured the game was played at their level.

The first half was uninspiring as Richards Bay could not make the strong wind at their backs work in their favour. Goal attempts were few and far between, with the best moment wasted as Somila Ntsundwana bore down on the Spurs’ goal and with only the keeper to beat.

Instead of blasting it home as any good striker would, for some unfathomable reason he tried to square it to Katleho Maphathe, who failed to make contact. Earlier on, Veluyeke ‘Tower’ Zulu had headed narrowly wide from a corner in a half of few highlights.

NRB are always a better second half side and came out looking like they would soon assert their dominance. Maphathe saw one header from a Khanyisa Mayo corner kick saved and another fly just wide of the upright. It was end-to-end stuff with Spurs also enjoying a fair share of possession, and Richards Bay can thank keeper Malcolm Jacobs for the finest save of the match as he dived low to his left to tip the ball wide.

Frustratingly, a heap of chances went a-begging as Richards Bay strove for the win. It never came, and Simo Dladla’s men had to settle for a single point, which was enough to put them back at the top of the GladAfrica NFD Championship. Maphathe was named man of the match, for which he was probably as surprised as everyone else. He would know, as would the entire home team, that apart from skipper Siphamandla Mtolo and the defensive spine, none of the players enhanced their CVs with this performance.

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