Wins prove tough on the road

The firsts suffered another tough day away to Kempton Park in the Valke Merlin League, with a 13-40 defeat on Saturday, May 23.

“As the league continues, the games on the road keep getting more difficult and we cannot wait to play at home for a change this Saturday, when we host Sasolburg,” said club public relations officer Steve Myburgh.

Benoni’s weekend opponents were sharper on the field and the visitors could not put phases together and looked lacklustre.

Replacement scrumhalf Quin van der Nest came off the bench to score twice for Benoni, to get them on the scoreboard.

Riaan Matthee, who moved from flank to eighth man in the place of injured Jacques Dorfling, did his best to get his team on the front foot, but these individual efforts could not prevent the loss.

In the second XV clash between the clubs, Benoni did well to stay in the game and force a 17-17 draw.

Things didn’t go to plan for Benoni’s u-21 team either, as they were defeated 30-17.

The game was disastrous for Benoni when the referee did not pitch up for the game and it had to be refereed by the nominated officials from the clubs, according to the Valke Merlin League rules.

With an inexperienced member of Kempton Park nominated to blow the first half, Benoni found themselves behind by 10 points within 15 minutes, due to bad calls.

This helped Kempton Park to keep their noses in front, even when, in the second half, Benoni’s nominated referee took over.

“This is Benoni’s first loss in the league and we feel done in by the lack of commitment from Valke referees,” added Myburgh.

“This is unacceptable in an organised league, where teams are so close together in a race for first spot.”

Saturday’s matches against Sasolburg will be played on Hoërskool Hans Moore’s grounds, with the u-21 team starting proceedings at 1.15pm, followed by the second team at 2.45pm and the first team at 4pm.