FALSE BAY RUGBY CLUB

DirectAxis False Bay continued on their winning way with a resounding 56-10 victory over Primrose at Rosmead Avenue on Saturday. The visitors lead 21-3 at the break.

 

Primrose at home is always a tough encounter for any visiting team, the hosts reluctant to concede defeat no matter their opposition and despite some pre-season disruptions, the Roses’ performance in the first half hour was true to form.

 

With a fair sprinkling of players from Zimbabwe beefing up their pack, the Kenilworth club opened the score board through a penalty by pivot Zande Salie. Although the Bay were on attack and had their hosts under pressure, they found themselves repelled by a determined defensive line and a team with a lust to run the ball.

 

Here eighthman Clinton Reinders caught the eye with his aggressive defense and hard running. His slow retreat from the frontline, however demonstrated the drain the passionate Primrose play placed on a team working towards match fitness. 

 

The Bay calmly went about their plays, their forwards casting a foundation which set to rock solid as the game progressed. Lock Uma Salie epitomized this attitude with his outstanding all round play. Not the tallest of second-rowers, Salie was tough in contact, his clean-outs and defense outstanding, and caught the eye with ball in hand too. His lock partner, Jan Ferreira also delivered a quality performance.

 

DirectAxis False Bay opened their account with a try by center More Small who crashed over after breaking the home line. Flyhalf Ewen Adams converted and moments later the Bay, by now in the clear ascendancy, crossed the line for a second time. Mustaqim Jappie, playing at fullback started a counter attack on the halfway line, when he received the ball with at least thirty metres to go and two defenders to evade, his clever chip and chase stood up for him to score to the delight of the Bay supporters. Neither Adams nor Adnaan Oesman later on failed in the conversion attempts on the day.

 

By now the hosts were beginning to feel the pace of the game and the defensive cracks were widening. The Bay forwards, with veteran hooker Vlam van Vuuren in the vanguard, were rampant and the backs were revelling in the space which opened ahead. Adams added his name to the try-scorers list, which he goaled, to give False Bay their half time tally.

 

Primrose have an inherent never-say-die attitude and this was the word on the stands, their capacity to fight back from a seemingly lost position, a cause for concern for those spectators who only relax when the final shrill whistle is sounded. Admittedly their cynicism may have been fed by Primrose opening the second half scoreboard with a try by Ruiters, a well-controlled 30 metre maul from a lineout. Salie converted for the last of his team’s points.

 

Coach Johnno van der Walt has drilled his squad well and they struck back with a try by wing Chadleigh Cloete, a flyer with raw talent and pace to burn. He later went on to get his brace of five-pointers and was joined on the try-scorers list by eighthman Ryan Olivier and hooker Roan Dalzell.

 

Primrose scrumhalf, Jason Jantjies was a bundle of energy and lock Sizwe July was a solid presence before his departure. False Bay’s captain Thabo Ngcongo was his industrious self, while flanker Lukhanya Nomzanga and Olivier completed an effective trio. 

 

DirectAxis False Bay have a full ten league points after their opening two matches of the season. They have shown enterprise, a willingness to run the ball. This enterprise will be tested by their next opponents, Victorians, who are an organized defensive unit with a willingness to run the ball. It’s a contest which promises to enthral and takes place next Saturday, the SLA on recess for the Easter Weekend.

 

All are welcome.