United win thriller against Benoni
Replacement winger Liam Mackay helped East Rand United win a 41-34 humdinger against Benoni with his try right on the death, securing maximum points for the home side.
The half-time score was 22-17 to United.
With the home side coming into the Peregrine League encounter as favourites, a comfortable win was on the cards, but it turned out to be anything but for coach Derrick Sampson and his men.
Mackay’s late touchdown arrived against the run of play, from a move started deep in United’s half. It was, in fact, Benoni who were in charge of proceedings, moments after equalising to make the score 34-all.
Suddenly, a shocking upset was on the cards.
With United pinned in their half by Benoni’s momentum, desperate tackles came in thick and fast as the home side protected their try-line vehemently.
The visitors were pushing strongly to take the game away from United, but then came the most vital turnover in the match.
The Reiger Park outfit quickly turned defence into attack as they spread the ball through the hands with pace. With a backline gifted with jet shoes, play was suddenly in Benoni’s half before Mackay’s dagger into Benoni hearts.
Forwards Jacques van Tonder and skipper Fanie van Staden, along with backs Dominique Perries, Duane Browne and Cameron Lentoor, had earlier guaranteed a scoring bonus point for the home side.
Meanwhile, United’s second team blew the visitors off the park with a 41-0 whitewash in the day’s early kick-off – applying pressure on their seniors to follow suit, which they did, just.
United scorers: tries: Jacques van Tonder, Fanie van Staden, Dominique Perries, Duane Browne, Cameron Lentoor, Liam Mackay. Conversions: Duane Browne (2), Cameron Lentoor (2). Penalties: Duane Browne. – @SabeloBoksburg
