The lean, mean ‘Maroon Machine’ flattens the opposition

The tension was palpable in the changing room before the ’Men in Maroon’ took the field on Saturday.

Their opponents were the formidable Piet Retief; the same team that broke the hearts of the Vryheid team by beating them 26-20 in last year’s final.

The visitors dictated the pace at the start of the game, quickly capitalising on Vryheid’s mistakes and earning themselves three points via a penalty.

Vryheid’s senior players were able to rein in the junior players during the team talk under the poles. Thereafter, the game was a one-sided affair, with the ‘Maroon Machine’ suffocating Piet Retief on defence. Marco Führi was the first Vryheid man to cross the white line. Danie Nel, Vryheid’s scrum half, followed him shortly thereafter to score a well-worked try.

Vryheid led 14-3 at half-time. Rich Verster, Vryheid’s former coach, gave the ‘manne’ a pep talk at the break to ensure that the fire didn’t die out in the second half.

The ‘well-oiled machine’ managed to score two more well-deserved tries in the second half. The first was scored by Chris Pretorius. Danie Nel then scored a sensational try from the base of a dominant Vryheid scrum on Vryheid’s five-metre line. Danie showed the Piet Retief men a clean pair of heels, running an electrifying 90+ metres to dot down, which had the sizeable crowd on their feet and cheering him on at the top of their lungs.

Chris van Rooyen’s kicking boots were on fire as well, adding to the scoreboard.

At the end of the game, Vryheid rounded off their dominant performance by defeating the 2022 champions 29-3.

Danie Nel and Khumbulani Khoza earned themselves the ‘man of the match’ awards for the backline and forwards respectively.

Vryheid coach Lwazi Mduli said, “Every player did their job and took care of their business.”

The ‘Maroon Machine’ will travel to Volksrust this coming Saturday, where they hope to solidify their place as the team to beat this season.

Vryheid Rugby Club would like to thank their sponsors and the Vryheid community at large for their support…

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.