Mixed bag of results in Vanderbijl Park

Benoni Rugby Club’s three teams kicked-off proceedings in week two of the Valke Merlin League on Saturday, April 18, after having a bye fixture in the opening week on April 11.

The teams travelled to Izak Steyl Stadium, in Vanderbijl Park, to take on Vaal University of Technology (VUT).

Benoni’s u-21 team was the only team to leave the stadium with a win.

Starting slow, the u-21s, grew in confidence over the course of their encounter, gained momentum and took charge of the game.

VUT lead early on, but Benoni managed to regain the advantage just before halftime with the score at 15-13 in their favour.

Through some enterprising play and well-structured rugby the young team ran in six tries on the day to win 30-13.

Leon Makhabane, CF Nimb, captain Arnold van den Bergh and Wessel Duvenage were the stand-out players for Benoni.

Tries were scored by Wessel Duvenage (two tries), Arnold van den Bergh, Juandre Terblanche, Jeff Gerral and JP Ryder.

Benoni’s second XV were caught napping right from kick-off when the came up against a fit and young VUT side which scored three unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes.

Once they found their feet, Benoni held their own and came back into the game with some good rugby of their own, but were unable to prevent a 31-17 defeat.

Tries were scored for Benoni by Morne Venter and Quin van der Nest (two).

In the first team clash, it was the weather which made life difficult for both sides when the rain came down.

The game was on a knife’s edge, but the Benoni team allowed the home team to disrupt the phases which they tried to put together.

VUT scored the only points of the first half with an unconverted try and a penalty.

Chasing the deficit, Benoni’s Dewald Nagel scored from a driving maul to give Benoni a chance to clinch the match but it was not to be.

“This was not the ideal start to the league but we now know what to focus on going forward,” said the club’s public relations officer, Steve Myburgh.

“We took a bonus point home and hopefully we can get our campaign back on track in two weeks’ time away to Elsburg.”