FALSE BAY RUGBY CLUB

DirectAxis False Bay RFC stamped their considerable authority over a hapless Belhar, scoring thirteen unanswered tries in their 80-3 victory at Constantia on Saturday half time score was 21-3.

 

With the competitive leagues for this season's Club rugby reduced to two senior teams and one Under 20 match, the younger lads have been gifted the opportunity to be a part of the main programme so to speak, more often competing on the B-fields of clubs. The Bay under 20 team has tongues a wagging at the club, their exciting brand of running rugby grabbing the attention of early birds on matchday. Having handsomely dispatched of Hamiltons the week earlier, Frans Boshoff's outfit continued their run with a comfortable 35-0 victory over Belhar, announcing themselves as a value-added event on matchday proceedings. 

 

In the main encounter of the day, standout player of the last two seasons, Riaan O'Neil lead his team onto the pitch in his fiftieth outing as the Bay took to the field with seven players starting for the first time this season.  The visitors, determined to leave Constantia with their pride intact, took the game to their hosts. Admittedly False Bay were not as fluid as they would have preferred but as the half progressed, interruptions dominated proceedings, the stop-start nature of play adding to frustration. While containment may have formed a part of the visitors' strategy, it would be churlish to imply that they were on the pitch purely to make up numbers and defend.

 

The Belhar outfit gave as good as they got on attack and the Bay's sound defensive patterns thwarted many attempts, frustrating a determined and capable team. They fought gallantly for the first half, restricting the hosts to three tries and an eighteen-point lead which may have been less had a seemingly clear try being allowed by the referee. Eighthman Nathanial Klaasen was outstanding on the day. His all-round play was excellent, powerful ball-carrying the hallmark of his performance. On the converse, the visitors did employ delay tactics as the half progressed, further frustrating a team determined to impress. Nevertheless, the Bay scored three converted tries in the first half against the penalty conversion of Belhar.

 

False Bay's high error rate in the opening stanza and the need to substantially increasing the pace of the game was surely a point of discussion at the break as the Bay returned to the pitch focused and ready to stamp their authority. Employing his bench early in the half, Bay coach Johnno van der Walt's charges blew the visitors away with forty minutes of fast-paced, high quality rugby which demonstrated their attacking potential. The fitness levels of the hosts far higher than their opponents, adding to their strike power.

 

Powerhouse wing Danie Roux added five tries to his career tally in a man of the match performance. The accuracy and pace of execution of the Bay's play was outstanding and playmakers such as Dylan Frylinck, Mustaqeem Jappie, Adnaan Osman and pivot Siya Alam were sublime. Alam is not afraid to defend and his fleet-footed line attacks has defences at sixes and sevens. Osman, deep into veteran status, belies his years and appears to be playing the rugby of his life. Frylinck was a busy half-back while Jappie appeared omnipresent on attack.

 

The list of outstanding players would be extended under the circumstances but that should surely include young Laaik Felton, whose busy afternoon showed his potential. Flanker Dian Koen certainly caught the eye with his energetic, fast-paced game when he entered the fray.

 

False Bay have a bye this weekend ahead of their clash against Varsity Cup Champions, Maties, at Constantia next Saturday. It promises to be an enthralling encounter, every bit as exciting as their clash last season.  

 

The Bay fraternity are saddened at the loss of a stalwart and pillar of the club. Peter Johnson, former player at Union Rugby Club, False Bay coach, Club Captain and player, passed away peacefully at his home over the weekend.