The Valke Peregrine League is the elite regional rugby competition in this neck of the woods and the Brakpan Rugby Club first team players got their hands on the trophy for a fourth consecutive year, at the Barnard Stadium, in Kempton Park, on the night of Wednesday, August 6.
Following a schedule conflict, the Valke Rugby Union moved the final from Saturday, August 2, to Wednesday night.
It was Brakpan versus perennial foes Springs Rugby Club, and a lively crowd gathered in Kempton Park to cheer on their teams.
The clash was intense from the very first minute, when inside centre Christo Joubert was carried off with a knee injury and replaced by utility back Ronwin Roets.
Brakpan would take an 11-0 lead into the break, courtesy of a Thinus Ueckermann (outside centre) try and two successful penalties from young winger PJ Beukes.
Two yellow cards for Brakpan within the first minutes of the second half were a setback and they eventually conceded a penalty try to Springs.
Brakpan were unlucky to concede a long distance try when Springs pounced on a penalty kick that struck their pole and landed back in play, to take the score to 14-11 in their favour.
Stalwart scrumhalf Shaun Botes would score the match-winning try for his team, which was converted to take the score to 18-14.
The Brakpan defence put in a massive defensive effort as the final neared its conclusion and would hold out to win the regional trophy.
Harry Nieuwenhuis, chairman of Brakpan Rugby Club, said: “Winning the Valke Peregrine League is always something special and was extremely hard-fought, as usual.
“The game was won, in my opinion, by our forwards, who played well and outclassed the Springs pack by securing good ball for our backline.”
He praised Theo Mynhardt, Theo Bekker , Vernon du Preez and stand-in captain Jaco Lotter for fantastic performances.
“We also played a couple of the Lilywhites (second team) youngsters, like PJ Beukes, Dirk Grobler and Dean Branders, and they all stepped up to the plate,” he added.
“This shows that we have solid youngsters and that the club’s future is secured.”
Springs gained automatic qualification to next year’s Cell C Community Cup after claiming first position in the league portion of the Peregrine League, while Brakpan will need to play play-off games to book a spot in the tournament.
This will see the “Panne” starting their Community Cup quest with a game against Vaal Reefs, at Olen Park, in Potchefstroom, at 12.45pm on September 6, followed by a game against either Wanderers, from the Lions Union, or Oostelikes, from the Bulls Union.
