United sets up dream final with Nigel in Merlin League

United took a nervy 17-12 lead into the break.

The win saw United set up a dream final with co-heavyweights Nigel, who tore apart VUT 57-15 in the day’s other semi-final clash.

United back Willie Meyers gave the home side a perfect start, with an intercept try shortly after Sasolburg were reduced to 14 men in the early stages of the game. Fly-half Clayton Gindon added the extras.

Despite United’s perfect start, which gave them the early ascendency, handling errors deep in their half and Sasolburg’s accuracy in attack kept the visitors in the game.

The visitors’ scrum kept the home side worried throughout the match, as their bigger forwards made their advantage count at every opportunity, but United’s running game helped them to keep their noses in front, despite being repeatedly pummelled at scrum-time.

United’s utility forward, Wynand Roux, was next on the scoreboard for his side in the first-half, with a powerful solo run which culminated in a five-pointer.

Roux left Sasolburg’s defenders lying in his wake from bounces and hand-offs before powering over the whitewash. Gindon again converted to keep his conversion rate perfect.

The end-to-end action continued into the second stanza, as both teams looked increasingly desperate for the win.

Three penalties and an additional penalty try awarded to the home side had United in the driving seat at 30-19 as the game got into its later stages.

But the ending was anything but comfortable for Derick Sampson’s men.

With approximately 70 minutes gone, Sasolburg were again threatening to spoil the party at ”The Graveyard”, as they scored a converted try to reduce the deficit to 30-26.

With the chance to play in the Merlin League final for the first time in nearly 10 years, United remained resolute in defence, as though their lives depended on it, before the referee confirmed their participation in the 2015 Merlin League final with the final whistle.

“There were tears of joy and relief in the camp after the final whistle,” said Sampson.

“This was history in the making.”

Captain and scrum-half Alvandre Maart echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“There was a lot of joy and tears were flowing. We made the community proud and the guys are positive about the final,” he said.

“The win means a lot to the team and its history; it will hopefully bring in more players.

“All credit must go to the team’s management, they really run the club professionally.”

Scorers:

United: tries: Wynand Roux, Willie Meyers, penalty-try. Conversions: Clayton Gindon (3). Penalties: Clayton Gindon (3). – @SabeloBoksburg