BOTH Raiders teams took on Varsity College on Saturday in what promised to be an exciting day of rugby. The extra XV played first and things did not start off well, with Varsity College leading 14-0 at half-time.
The Raiders team came out with determination as the second half kicked off, with Mason Middleton running in two tries. Mason missed out on a hat rick try as he ran right over the dead ball line in his excitement. This opened the doors for the Raiders team as their confidence grew even as Varsity College scored again. Mbongeni Ngubane and Danie Flemming each scored a try.
The Raiders team ran out of steam as one minute left in the game turned into five, with Varsity College scoring the winning try. The final score was 24-22 to Varsity College. The extra XV game was dedicated to team coach, Bryan Steyn’s mom, who is battling the fight against cancer and who was released from hospital to support the Raiders teams.
The starting XV were determined to prove a point on Saturday and came out firing. The Raiders team scored six tries before half-time with Varsity College only managing a penalty kick. The second half was more of a pounding as the Raiders scored another six tries against Varsity College’s none. Team kicker Jonathan Hammond, gave the last five conversions to team captain and eighth man, Sheldon Phillips, who only missed one, to great cheers from the crowd. Tries came from Elgin Hatting (one), Floyd McKenzie (two), Leigh McNeill (one), Sheldon Phillips (one), Jonathan Hammond (two), Graham Dyer (two) and Theuns Rheeder (three).
The Pinetown Raiders’ next games will be on 20 June against Scottburgh and Crusaders at Ashley Sports Grounds.
