Marais Viljoen u-14 team are true champions

THE annual finals of the Virseker Beker on Saturday saw teams from far and wide gather on the fields of Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High School in Alberton to compete not only for a trophy and medals, but more importantly for bragging rights for the next year.

The Virseker Beker is the cherry on top for players, coaches and rugby supporters.

It ensures that strength plays to strength in every division and is a reward for making the finals in your own league, which would normally comprise at least five schools.

Then you have to play against other league winners or runners-up to get to the finals day.

Every team that participated are true champions to even get this far.

One of our local hero teams, the Marais Viljoen u-14 team, came up against the Rustenburg team in the final of the plate competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was noticeable that some of the Marais Viljoen players were rather small in comparison to their opponents.

But if Rustenburg thought they were in for an easy game, they would be in for a huge surprise.

From the outset of the warm up it was apparent that the coaching team of H Muller and G Cramer were professional and positive in their approach.

Marais Viljoen looked impressive from the start and put pressure on Rustenburg when the visitors were in possession.

They had an early opportunity, but the final pass went astray.

However, after the visitors had consolidated the possession and hoofed the ball upfield, Marais Viljoen full back Tyler-Jay Woodruff started a counter attack that encompassed a backline move that finished in the right-hand corner by Caywin Fredericks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He is a speedy finisher. The conversion, unfortunately, missed, but at 5-0 Marais Viljoen had shown their intent.

The defence and hard work on attack shown by the forwards was great to see.

The tight five dominated the line-outs, but struggled in the scrums to get a lot of front-foot ball.

At times the team did show a lack of discipline with regards to off-side play, but this was more as a result of commitment to the defensive cause than anything else.

Rustenburg had a chance to get points on the board when, after a number of transgressions, the Marais Viljoen team received a team warning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second try came from a ball kicked by Rustenburg upfield that was taken by Woodruff.

He put the ball on the foot and followed up his own kick. The ball bounced awkwardly, but he jumped above the defender and snapped it up. He basically fell over the defender into the in-goal area to score a brilliant individual try.

Again the conversion missed, but they had doubled the lead.

Shortly before the break, Rustenburg were reduced to 14 men after a dangerous tip tackle on one of the Marais Viljoen players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first ball they got after that was booted upfield by Marais Viljoen. I thought this was a wasted opportunity with a extra man up.

After the half-time break, the home team really upped the ante and started as they did the first half.

However, they were still making mistakes and Rustenburg came back with a vengeance.

They scored a converted try to close the deficit. To be honest, the defence of Marais Viljoen was really good and rock solid and they even got two second-half penalties converted by Stefan van Deventer. They held on to be crowned as champions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 13-7 scoreline was a true reflection of how tough the game was.

The man of the match was Henrico Germishuizen.

Captain of the team Juandré Theron, as well as the coaching staff, can be proud of the team.

Not only for the final game, but for a whole season of hard work and effort put in.

Even in the semi-finals they played superb rugby to beat Hoërskool Nelspruit 31-0. They only lost one friendly game all year.

Champions are made through dedication from both players and coaches. There is no substitute.