Second loss in a row sees Roodepoort drop to fifth overall, but still top of open club log
After two consecutive losses, Roodepoort Rugby Club finds itself in the middle of a poor run of form in this year’s Pirates Grand Challenge Trophy.
The poor run of form began on 18 May at the hands of the University of Witwatersrand when four of Poorte’s five sides went down to the varsity.
Their lack of form against universities continued when they took on the University of Johannesburg (UJ) at Allen Glen High School and Roodepoort Athletics Stadium on Saturday, 25 May.
The final matchday of the first round of fixtures kicked off with the U/21s at the stadium, and third teams at Allen Glen.
Poorte’s U/21 side went down 7–43 following a convincing display from the university team.
The third team, however, continued their turn-around campaign with a second successive victory, defeating UJ 36–22.
Next up were the second and U/19 sides, who also lost their second matches in a row.
Despite strong starts from both of the Poorte teams, UJ overpowered the men from Ruimsig, beating the U/21 and second teams 26–55 and 22–40 respectively.
With the hope of rescuing Poorte’s afternoon, the first team locked horns with UJ in the last match of the day.
Unfortunately they seemed unable to emulate their early-season form as UJ dominated the majority of the first half.
Following a stern half-time talk from Poorte coach, Alwyn Hollenbach, the home side put in a much-improved second-half performance.
Despite scoring three second-half tries, Poorte were unable to keep UJ at bay at key moments in the game, and UJ ran out victors with a score of 40–30.
The disappointing performance from Poorte sees the first team drop to fifth overall but still stay top of the open clubs’ log.
Poorte’s First XV has only lost once to an open club, winning the other four matches, which has kept them top on points difference, despite Raiders defeating Randfontein in their clash during the weekend.
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