Raithby Universals continued their dominant unbeaten run in the Northern League with a resounding 39-14 victory over Excelsior at Raithby Sports Ground on Saturday 17 May.
The home team proved too strong for their opponents, who entered the match in seventh position on the log. RU drew first blood just three minutes into the game, when Lezaine Botto charged down a kick to score the first of his team’s seven tries. The RU forwards demonstrated a clear advantage, and the backline’s pace and running lines proved too much for the Excelsior defense.
Raithby scored three more tries in the first half, while the visitors managed two of their own. At half-time, with Raithby comfortably ahead, coach Hein Gordon made several substitutions, bringing on younger players. The fresh legs continued the home team’s attacking momentum, but handling errors and overeagerness prevented them from adding even more tries. The youngsters did, however, manage to score three more tries in the second half, while Excelsior were unable to add to their first-half tally.
Raithby’s seasoned flyhalf, Brandon Manuel, had an uncharacteristically off day with the boot, converting only two of the team’s seven tries.
RU dominated with tries by Botto, Jason Pichardy, Duraan Oryan, Imerhaan Flaendorp, Ralwin Smith, Freddy van Zyl and Leighton Lombaard, while Manuel added two successful conversions to the scoreboard.
In Super League A, the honours were shared in a very evenly contested match between Helderberg Rugby Club and SK Walmers in Green Point.
In the eighth minute, Berge’s right wing Ovain Engelbrecht scored the opening try in the corner following a full backline movement (0-5). In the 23rd minute the Berge forwards drove towards the corner, where eighthman Erhard Lambrecht scored. Captain Michael Visser added the extras (0-12).
SKW succeeded with a penalty goal and, a minute before half-time, the home team scored an converted try (10-12).
The home side regained the lead with a try soon after the restart (15-12). In the 63rd minute, Berge’s replacement flanker Waylin Pick scored a magnificent try and Visser converted to retake the lead (15-19). Three minutes later a Visser penalty extended the lead (15-22).
SKW were back in the match with a converted try (22-22). In the 74th minute Visser slotted a penalty (22-25), but the home team were not to be outdone, adding a penalty of their own (FT: 25-25).
This Saturday (24 May), a Super League A derby takes place when Helderberg hosts St George’s at Charles Morkel Stadium. This promises high stakes, following Helderberg’s thrilling 27-25 victory in a tightly contested 2024 encounter that drew a record crowd, and a prior 2023 match marred by a post-game brawl, setting the stage for what is sure to be an intense and highly anticipated showdown.
Other results:
– SLA: St George’s 34-54 Tygerberg
– SLB: Bellville 22-27 Macassar
– SLC: Strand United 29-30 Young Peoples
– NL: Coronations 16-28 Sir Lowrians, Windmeul 74-7 GB Pioneers
Fixtures for Saturday 24 May:
– SLA: Helderberg vs St George’s (Charles Morkel).
– SLB: Macassar vs Kraaifontein (Riverside Park).
– SLC: Strand United vs Eerste River (Abattoir), All Saints vs Violets (Helderzicht), Strand RFC vs Pniël Villagers (Gustrouw).
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