Owls put US visitors to sword (video)

TW Boksburg kicks off their Peregrine League campaign away to Vereeniging on April 7.

At the end of the day, rugby was the winner.

It was a flurry of tries at Prince George Park as a rampant TW Boksburg side ran in more than 10 tries to skin American touring side Schuylkill River in an international friendly match on March 24.

The Owls left the visitors redfaced as they dished out a thorough hiding for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, outfit to take home.

History was made in the clash as it was the first time in TW Boksburg Rugby Club’s rich 115-year history that a team from overseas visited the iconic Prince George Park.

It was mentioned in the Advertiser in the build-up to the encounter that the visitors would have their work cut out in keeping Owls star back David Woolls quiet and the ginger-haired outside centre proved too much to handle.

Feisty: Owls half-back Johan Labuschagne was one of the bigger thorns for the opposition.

He led the busy scoreboard with four out of his side’s total 15 tries as the Owls sent a stern warning to their Peregrine League rivals.

With good ingredients brought in during the course of the off-season, including a new, respected manager in former Brakpan boss Francois Erasmus and new and younger players, TW Boksburg looks rejuvenated and hungry, and Schuylkill River can testify to that.

TW Boksburg prop forward Gary Woolls was imperative in getting the Owls over the advantage line. With the visitors requiring at least three men to take him down following every surge, gaps popped which the hosts ruthlessly took advantage of.

The forwards and backs were in sync with powerful runs from the home side’s big men making significant yards in almost every surge that left acres of space on the outsides.

The Owls’ quick backline, boosted by scrumhalf Johan Labuschagne’s aggressive and quick service, needed no second invites at taking advantage of the space and the visitors’ rather weak tackling.

The half-time score was an unassailable 57-14.

The one-way traffic continued in the second stanza as Erasmus’ men crossed the try line almost at will.

Mutual respect: The two teams acknowledging the opportunity after the game.

They outscored the visitors 39-7 before the match official put Schuylkill out of their misery.

Owls flyer Reggie Roux also had a field day as he bagged a hat-trick of dot downs, while wing forward Francois Malherbe grabbed a brace.

Flyhalf Adriaan van der Nest added to his single try with nine conversions and a cheeky drop goal.

Forwards Ricky Shneider and Eric Suchecki, as well as replacement Tyler Kelley, scored the consolation tries for the tourists. Number 10 Brian Keown slotted all three.

TW Boksburg outside centre David Woolls goes over for one of his multiple scores.

Scorers: TW Boksburg: Tries – David Woolls (4), Reggie Roux (3), Francois Malherbe (2), Juan Brummer, Danie Schultz (c), Deon Smith, Adriaan van der Nest, Damian Diedrieks, Attie van der Nest. Conversions – Adriaan van der Nest (9). Drop goal – Adriaan van der Nest.

Schuylkill River: Tries – Ricky Shneider, Eric Suchecki, Tyler Kelley: Conversions – Brian Keown.