Tough Grand Challenge opener
A-SQUARE Forklift Alberton Rugby Club's first team was always going to have a tough battle on their hands in the season opener against University of Johannesburg (UJ) played in Alberton on Saturday, April 2.
The hosts started off well and within the first few exchanges defended well and even won good turnovers which forced the varsity boys to make a number of handling mistakes. Unfortunately the visitors’ scrum was strong and Alberton battled to get any forward ball from this phase and lost the ball or were penalized.
The home side kept their line intact for most of the first half holding the visitors to a 0-9 score line just before the half hour mark.
One of the Alberton players was sent to the bin for playing the man in the air after a kick off. The incident looked bad and the UJ player was stretchered off but it was probably a 50/50 call as it appeared they were both going for the ball.
This turned the game and soon afterwards the UJ side scored the first of their tries and never looked back. The UJ fly half needs special mention as he was deadly accurate with the boot and slotted kicks from all over the field.
UJ’s open side flanker made a real nuisance of himself at the rucks and stole a number of balls on the ground. Alberton battled to string phases together and when they did get the ball they lost it in contact or in the ruck. Line-outs were a bit better though.
In the second half the flood gates opened and the home side had no answers. The visitors ran riot but Alberton still never gave up and were rewarded with an unconverted try of their own through Deevan du Plessis.
The final score was 5-62 but it is not an accurate representation as the home side were a lot better than that on the day. The spirit and commitment they showed are admirable. Having said that, I feel that UJ are going to be very tough to beat.
The second team played very well to turn a halftime deficit of 0-12 to score in the dying seconds of the game 15-12. They never let up and the win was just reward for their effort.
The defensive structure and good discipline of the boys kept the opposition scoreless in the second half. The counter-attack of the second side is something future opponents will need to take note of. Two great tries from broken play ensured the boys bragging rights over UJ.
In all four other fixtures the game was closely contended for the majority of the first half, where Alberton forced the running side, that UJ is known for, to opt for shot at goal. Alberton as a whole, can take plenty positives from all the games and the belief around the club is that the foundation for the way forward has been set.
Go and support our boys on Friday, April 8, against Pirates at A-Square Forklift Alberton Rugby Club – they deserve it.
