Poorte suffer heart-breaking defeat from Pirates
The first team clash was another cracking top-flight match, with the hosts getting off to a great start and having a healthy lead at halftime.
On Saturday, April 2 EcoRubber Roodepoort Rugby Club were the visitors to Pirates Rugby Club for a Golden Lions Rugby Union Pirates Grand Challenge fixture.
The rugby displayed by the two sides provided the expected fireworks to mark a great day of club rugby that saw Pirates win four of the five matches.
The first team clash was another cracking top-flight match, with the hosts getting off to a great start and having a healthy lead at halftime.
The two teams made use of the high ball on several occasions with the kickers looking for answers from the cloudy Johannesburg skies that kept the possibility of rain alive.
Once again it was evident that the professionalism in the country’s club rugby is of high quality.
The physical battle between the two packs of forwards was always on show while the back line demonstrated moments of devastating speed.
Poorte hooker Clint Theron made his presence felt, backed up by the big units Tiaan Muller and Barend Steyn.
With Boeta Piater on the bench, Poorte coach Neil Kalify seemed to have planned his own little bomb squad in the second half that kept the score close.
At the sound of the final whistle Pirates emerged victorious and registered a win of 23–14 while they had the opportunity to score a few more tries but the defence of the visitors and their second-half performance were outstanding.
“Thanks to Pirates Rugby Club for a fantastic day. All games were played in a good spirit and the crowd of close to 2 000 people were treated to a great day of club rugby,” said EcoRubber Roodepoort Rugby Club chairman Theuns Naudé.
• 1st XV
Eco Rubber Roodepoort RC 14–23 Pirates
• 2nd XV
Eco Rubber Roodepoort RC 14–13 Pirates
• 3rds XV
Eco Rubber Roodepoort RC 15–54 Pirates
• U/21s
Eco Rubber Roodepoort RC 16–31 Pirates
• U/19s
Eco Rubber Roodepoort RC 17–45 Pirates
