Eagle soars victorious as Bethlehem falls

VRYHEID Rugby Club hosted Bethlehem Scholars on Saturday, February 25, for the first home match of the 2017 season.

“The second team’s game was cancelled against Bethlehem,” stated Head Coach, Rich Verster. “So our second team played a 10-a-side and showed the depth Vryheid Rugby Club has,” he added. “The second team is preparing for their first game on Saturday in the Piet Retief Rugby against Ermelo’s second team.”

ALSO READ: Forwards shine in first match of the season.

AND: Rugby club closes off 2016 season.

The first team match against Bethlehem Scholars was scheduled to start at 4pm, but began an hour late, as the sun began its descent over Vryheid.

“Vryheid dominated in the first phases,” said Verster, “with tight head, Jurie Huyser, leading from the front. The forwards laid the foundations for the backs to run rampant, scoring well-worked tries…”

Two minutes into the first half, scoring sensation, Francois Scheepers, tore his hamstring running a swift 60 metre try, wasting no time in lighting up the scoreboard for the host side. Khumbulani Khoza came onto the field to replace the injured Scheepers.

At 14 minutes, fast and fearless Carl Holzhauzen, thrust himself through Bethlehem’s defence, landing another try for the hosts, followed by yet another try by supersonic Sticks Mbatha, ten minutes later.

Khumbulani Khoza paid his first visit to the try line at 33 minutes, followed by another dexterous try by Sticks Mbatha two minutes later. At this stage of the game, Juan Booyens found his feet at the posts, managing his first successful conversion of the match on Mbatha’s try.

“Juan Booyens controlled the game from the back, making sure Bethlehem had no chance of getting out of their half,” mentioned Verster.

First team captain, Tinus Scheepers, was able to score another try at 44 minutes, followed by another lucrative lunge at the try line by Khumbulani Khoza 63 minutes into the seemingly one-sided encounter, successfully converted by Juan Booyens.

A high tackle at 69 minutes earned promising newcomer to the side, Lungisa Mlaba a yellow card and a few minutes in the sin bin, but by that time, the visiting side’s fate was already basically sealed with no chance of making any kind of comeback against the hosts.

Carl Holzhauzen placed the final nail in the coffin 76 minutes in, with his second and final try of the match, converted by Booyens, who ended the match with a 37,5 percent conversion rate.

The final whistle left the guests with no response to the home side’s dominance and the game ended 46 – 0 in favour of Vryheid.

Following the side’s first win of the season, captain, Tinus Scheepers stated that he was very satisfied with the squad’s performance and discipline on the field.

“I just want to thank the sponsors that have made everything possible so far,” said Scheepers. “I especially want to thank the Vryheid supporters for being there for us. As long as you are there, we will put the points on the board and make sure we put on a good show…”

Man of the match for the forwards was Lwazi Mdluli and Carl Holzhauzen for the backs.

The club would like to thank all of their 2017 sponsors who have made everything possible, from the new jerseys to water for the teams. Special thanks goes out to Golden Peak Spur, who contributed to the event by keeping the fans well fed and the children entertained with burgers, face-painting and a jumping castle, complete with a Spur child-minder, who kept an eye on the children, while their parents kept an eye on the match.

The next match will see Vryheid’s first and second teams playing in Piet Retief on Saturday against Ermelo first and second respectively.