‘Panne’ finish top of the Peregrine League again

In addition, the 'Panne' won eight of their ten fixtures, while Vereeniging only won seven.

July 27, 2017

Logan Green 2 minutes read

Inside centre Gido Horn in possession of the ball.

After a frustrating beginning to the Valke Rugby Union’s Peregrine League, Brakpan Rugby Club’s First XV are back where they belong – top of the table.

Despite early season losses to Boksburg and Springs rugby clubs, the new-look 2017 Brakpan outfit remained resolute and gritty to finish the league portion of the campaign as the top dogs.

They ensured they would once again top the Valke’s elite competition with a commanding 40-10 victory in their final match of the league fixtures against Reiger Park’s East Rand United (ERU) at Bosman Stadium, on July 22.

The Panne and Vereeniging both ended the league phase on 38 points, but Brakpan’s point difference of 155 is 18 points better than that of Vereeniging at 137.

In addition, the ‘Panne’ won eight of their ten fixtures, while Vereeniging only won seven.

Vereeniging scored 371 points as opposed to Brakpan’s 337, but the Panne’s defence made the telling difference as they allowed in 52 points fewer than Vereeniging.

Brakpan scored 49 tries, while Vereeniging scored 52 tries in the league phase.

This means that the men in green have set up a rematch against ERU in the first-versus-fourth semi-final at Bosman on August 5.

The other semi-final will see second-placed Vereeniging take on third-placed Springs.

On Saturday it was all about skipper Wikus van der Berg and his team.

The ‘Panne’ ran in six tries on the day, courtesy of prop Henrico van Eck, lock Theo Becker, winger Leon “Sweef” Potgieter, scrumhalf Tabu Tau and a brace of tries from flanker Pieter Nel.

The rest of the points came from the boot of Gido Horn, playing at inside centre.

“The team is really playing great rugby and we are proud to end top of the log after a slow start to the season,” said club chairman Harry Nieuwenhuis.

“Our forwards were excellent again and replacements Dalton Botha, Dewald Nagel, Albert Lindveldt and Westleigh Nortier made a huge contribution from the bench.

“It’s always a great sign when the bench warmers add value.”

The club’s young u-21 side will also play semi-final rugby.

They will take on a tough Vereeniging outfit this Saturday, while the club’s second team finished as runners-up to Vereeniging in their campaign.