ALBERTON Rugby Club’s first team took on the Harlequins in front of a sold-out crowd on home ground on May 6, in their Pirates Grand Challenge league match.
The local side struggled to get going in the worst display of the season and, to add salt to the wounds, they lost Jacques van Wyk and Faf Beukes in the first ten minutes due to injuries. With two tries spoiled on the tryline and disruptions in the starting line-up so early in the match, the game quickly became a mental challenge for the team.
Harlequins, from Pretoria, led the entire first half. The visitors seemed to use the boot often, turning around the Alberton forwards and dominating the breakdown point.
With an 8-3 deficit, the local team went into the change room with plenty to think about. Although the bounce of the ball never favoured Alberton at any stage, the second half was won by pure guts and determination.
The home team’s back trio seemed to find some sort of synergy after the break and started capitalising on all the balls received from returned kicks. Both wingers, Shane Riley and Thorn “Doring“ Khumalo, were rewarded with tries for their tireless work. Arno Smit also went over for Alberton’s first try at a critical moment in the game.
Bennie Botes contributed to the score-line by means of two penalties and one conversion. The final score was 23-15 in favour of Alberton.
The next fixture at home will take place on May 19, against Johannesburg Police.
The club also played host to the Xerox Golden Lions versus Welwitschias match. The Lions trounced the side from Namibia 112-14, to record the biggest score margin in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge yet.
* Report and photographs: A Square Forklift Alberton Rugby Club
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