Alberton takes on the Raiders
A-Square Forklift Alberton started well against the front runners for the Gold Cup, Raiders Rugby Club, on Saturday, May 21.
A-SQUARE Forklift Alberton started well against the front runners for the Gold Cup, Raiders Rugby Club, on Saturday, May 21.
The boot of on form fly half Renier Wiessener forced the visitors to step up their discipline after he slotted the first penalty at a range of 53 metres.
The home side put tremendous pressure on their opposition, ensuring the much talked about handling skills of the Raiders went out the window. This ultimately forced them to play more physical rugby in the earlier stages of the match.
The new back three gelled well and made sure the pressure put on the Raiders side did not go unrewarded. Alberton constructed a spectacular counter-attack try with Thorn Khumalo running laterally and Johannes Visagie with his blistering pace straightening the line to go under the sticks for the home team’s one and only try.
With lapses in defence the lads went into the shed with the score at 26-13 in favour of the Raiders.
The first points of the second half went to the home side with another massive penalty from Wiessener’s boot at 55 metres. Despite their best efforts, A-Square Forklift Alberton could not manage to score another point.
“As we have seen all too often this season, the last 10 minutes belonged to the opposition allowing them to run in three tries, resulting in the final score being 50-16. This has been an area of concern for the youngsters of Alberton, if this can be rectified this team can acquire the status of giant killers,” said Rory Lategan form A-Square Forklift Alberton.
“A special mention to Eugene Coetzee on debut for the first XV and Nathan Nkutu handling the 15 jumper on his first start like a seasoned veteran,” he added.
*Information and photo supplied by Rory Lategan.
