Allies are the champions again

AFTER drawing 17 all at halftime to Florida, Hoërskool Alberton turned on the pressure to win the NWU Super Series trophy with a final score of 38-27.

The series was hosted at Dr Malan High school in Meyerton on April 14. Although Alberton had beaten Florida in the Coke Series late last year, it was never going to be an easy game when these two teams were to meet again.

Alberton was quick out of the blocks and showed their intentions when early on they were prepared to fling the ball around. They were rewarded with a try in the left corner by their wing Jaco van Tonder. The conversion was unsuccessful but Florida knew they were in for a game.

Allies applied pressure from the restart when the Florida hooker intercepted a loose pass. He rumbled down the field and offloaded the ball perfectly to the winger. He chipped the ball through and was about to gather the ball when he was tackled without the ball by flyhalf Francois Myburgh.

The referee, who had a very good game, correctly awarded a penalty try and gave the offending player a yellow card.

A few minutes later, things got worse for Allies when the Florida team drove over the line from a line-out and in a previous move, captain Johan Potgieter was shown a yellow card for what appeared to the referee to be a barrel roll tackle. Potgieter might have been a touch unlucky as it probably looked worse than it was. The conversion was good and the team from the West Rand were 14-5 up.

Just when one would think that the game was starting to slip away from Allies, the team proved that they can shrug off a few points being scored against them and regroup and then bounce back.

Alberton continued to attack wide, thereby also avoiding the big Florida forwards. They managed to get their wing into a bit of space and although he still had a lot to do, Ruan Lubbe managed to force his way over in the corner for an unconverted try. Allies had cut the deficit to 10-14. Florida was successful with a penalty which stretched the lead to 17-10.

Allies never gave up and still continued with their plan to use their speedy backs to stretch the Florida defence and before the halftime break managed a try through their fly-half Francois Myburg, which he converted himself from under the sticks. They were back level pegging at 17 all. All to play for.

Florida fights back

Florida started off the better of the second half and regained the lead with a penalty to lead 20-17.

However, Alberton, who had the greater support of the crowd, continued to push for the line with backs and forwards having darts for the line although the Florida defence held firm.

Eventually, it was Ruben van den Berg who crashed over the line from a quick ball out of the ruck and with the successful conversion Allies had a 24-20 lead.

Florida, however, never gave up and set up multiple attacks on the Allie line which eventually culminated in a seven-pointer for them thereby regaining them the lead. With about 15 minutes left, Berg chipped a quick ruck ball over the defence into space for Potgieter to run onto and score near the sticks. Myburgh’s conversion was successful and Allies had 15 minutes to hold on for the victory.

Florida did not give up and put loads of pressure on Allies from the kickoff. The defence of Allies was very strong and well organised though. Alberton knew that a five-pointer would seal their fate.

The final say in the game went to them and it really summed up the game.

With Florida on the attack, they, unfortunately, made a mistake and turned over possession. Allies started to run from deep in their own 22m area. They spread it wide when the right wing Jaco van Tonder slipped passed the defence and ran with only one goal – the try line. He outsprinted the defence for probably the best part of 75m and even though he had his captain in support, he didn’t need him and crashed of for what was a seven-pointer.

Full marks to Alberton on a stunning game of rugby in which Florida also played their part.

The victory was better than a thirty point victory as they came back from the start they had, and even being down to 13 men at one stage, they showed real guts and character to pull it through.

It must also not be forgotten that Florida actually play macro schools and Alberton only big schools.

Two other Allie teams also won titles namely the second team and u-16s while the u-14 team lost in the final. Reports on these games to follow next week.

Well done Allies!

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