False Bay move up log after win over Tygerberg
Motorvaps False Bay RFC doubled the number in their win column on the Super League A (SLA) log when they subdued a motivated Tygerberg at Constantia on Saturday to register their second league win this season. The final score was 36-9 after the home side led 19-6 at the switch.
By time the main event started, all of the Bay’s teams had registered victories, including the women’s team, ironically out at Florida Park, and False Bay’s Third XV, in an 85-12 trouncing of their counterparts. The Bay’s one-from-four victory record going into the match was marginally eclipsed by Tygerberg’s one victory, one draw and two loss record in the run up to the clash.
“Tiere” as they are known are a quality team. A massive pack with big, sturdy props, tall timber for second-rowers, and a loose trio not only big but tough and willing to play the hard game. It is here where the improvement in False Bay’s game since the league began was most evident. The home pack absorbed the robust play of their visitors, flank Lukhanyo Nomzanga putting in a massive performance with ball in hand and in his trademark brutal offensive defence. Lock Busanda Mabena continued his outstanding form while young eighthamn, Izzie Wharton continued to display his development and talent with a power display of defence and ball carrying during his time on the pitch.
The spark of the Bay flame was undoubtedly scrumhalf Niyaz Johnson, who flustered the Tygerberg defence with his snipping around the edges of the breakdowns and his perceptive support of the ball carrier. Alongside him, flyhalf Ewan Adams celebrating a welcome return to form from an uncharacteristic slump in the opening matches of the contest. His slick distribution and eye for the gap, set the Bay backs off on attacks which the visitors could not always contain.
Veteran hooker, Neil Rautenbach opened the scoring for the home side, crashing over at the back of a rolling maul, that much-maligned play of all teams on the receiving end. Adams converted but the Bay’s seven point lead was reduced to just one through two penalty kicks by Tygerberg pivot Tristan September.
False Bay scored six tries in total, Adams and Rautenbach being joined on the scorecard by wing Ryno Mapoe, lock Godwin Mangenje, veteran Ryan Olivier and young centre Joshua Florence, who put in a top class performance after his early entrance into the contest.
After the Bay pack had weathered the early scrumming storm of their opponents, this form of restart again became one of dominance for the hosts, while their lineouts showed a noticeable improvement in accuracy, Mangenja, Mabena brilliant in this facet. The Bay starting front row, of Wesley Futter, Rautenbach, Tahriq Allen, and then later, Vlam van Vuuren, again created a power platform for scrum dominance. Here mention should be made of replacement prop, James Pearse. Not particularly big for his position, Pearse could easily be overlooked as a threat in the scrum, his frame slight by league standards. His development this season has been exponential, he now shreds larger opponents who lose concentration on the hit and as the ball is put in.
Mention should be made of referee, Waleed Moerat, who with his assistants managed the contest admirably and accurately.
Saturday’s five league point victory moves False Bay up the SLA table somewhat, their recent bottom three position cause for concern for many a loyal fan.
The latest table shows False Bay up to ninth position from fourteenth, just under the mid-table zone as they now face Villager, whose match against Brackenfell on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged field.
Matches between False Bay and Villager at Brookside on Saturday kick off at 1.30pm, with the main game starting at 4pm.
