Three wins on the trot for the Bay

Motorvaps False Bay RFC made it three wins on the trot when they beat Brackenfell at Constantia on Saturday. The final score was 26-7, after the Bay had posted a 12-7 half time lead.

Brackenfell, leading the Bay on the SLA table going into the fixture, were always going to be tough opposition, with the result by no means guaranteed for the home side.

The results of earlier matches on the day had favoured the home side, the most notable being the 65-7 victory of the False Bay under-20 side, who needed to post a big win to stay in the hunt for participation in the UXi/BBRU Cross-Border U/20 Competition.

The accuracy of the Bay’s play has undoubtedly improved over the last number of fixtures. Brackenfell, lying ahead of False Bay on the table going into the fixture, were all value for this position.

“Brakke” certainly took the game to their hosts, their big forwards laying a solid platform for forays by their speedy backs into Bay territory. The home defence not only repelled these invasions, but drove the insurgents back in a manner resembling an infantry battle, regaining lost territory and some through resolute defence and tough counter-drives. This characteristic of their play saw them hold territorial advantage, albeit between the Brackenfell half-line and the start of their 25-metre zone.

Typically, the visitors would strike back with a counter attack from their own half, one in particular having the Bay defences stretched. It started with fullback Jandré Grobler scything through the line on the halfway line, his insertion at pace and his offload to left wing Lance Jurgens perfect and at pace. It was only desperate defence which kept Jurgens from scoring. The young winger, hair flailing in the gale caused by his pace, taunted the home defence for most of the first half.

The Constantia team opened their scoring with a try by tighthead prop, Bornwell Gwinji, who crashed over after a multi-phased play which started on the opposite sideline. Flyhalf Ewan Adams converted to make the lead 7-0.

False Bay were beginning to show signs of domination, simultaneously displaying some vulnerability. Perhaps the visitors could have played the ball closer to their big, powerful forwards for a phase or three more to suck in their opponents, in turning creating more space for their speedy backs, but that may also be an indicator of False Bay’s robust forward play which negated many Brackie’s attempts up front.

The Bay extended their lead through a try by young wing, Daniel Heyns, the 12 on the electronic scoreboard remaining unchanged after this until the second half. The visitors were the last to bother the scoreboard minders for the first half when scrumhalf Johan Gericke scored at the back of a forward rumble.

Visiting Canadian referee, Luke Rogan, who managed the match exceptionally well, called an end to first half proceedings not too long afterwards.

The second stanza saw the hosts improve dominance. With the surfeit of international rugby beaming through television sets in the clubhouse, outside was the place to be as False Bay seemed to up their intensity, triggered by players coming off the bench.

Tighthead prop Tahriq Allen displayed his hunger, strength and power as he totally dominated his opponents, existing and replacement. Lock Ettiene Oosthuizen, who delivered eighty minutes of top quality rugby, never let up. Eighthman Busanda Mabena maintained his intensity and replacement lock Godwin Mangenje rendered a quality performance when entering the fray.

The final quarter is where False Bay displayed their capabilities. With their forwards now dominating their opponents, the rapid Bay backs ran onto the ball with pace and verve. Scrumhalf Niyaas Johnson delivered an all round performance of class, centre Darren Jaftha excelled and fullback Mustaqeem Jappie reveled in the space of attacking from the back. It was in this exciting quarter that the Bay shut the door on Brackenfell with tries by Johnson and replacement number eight Dustin Andres, both of which were converted by Adams.

The rumour mill is abuzz with talk of the national competition for Club Rugby, the Gold Cup, resuming at the end of this season. Details of the format is not yet at hand, but as defending Super League A 2022 Champions, False Bay have entry into this prestigious competition.

With the President’s Cup following the round robin stage of the SLA, if the Bay end as one of the Top Six teams in the SLA, the possibility of them having two First Teams competing in two competitions simultaneously is possible. If their Under 20 As qualify for the UXi/BBRU Cross-Border U/20 Competition, that makes three teams contesting higher honours. The club can only dream.

False Bay face one of their toughest opponents of the season when they travel to Milnerton to face Uni-Mil on Saturday. “Millies” like joint second on the table with Durbell but they have a tough two games in four days schedule this week. By time of printing, the Milnerton lads would have faced Stellenbosch University on Wednesday and then take on False Bay 96 hours later.

First matches at the Theo Marais Park are at 1.25pm. The main match starts at 4pm.