Riversmead Warriors beat Ballito Dolphins 38-10 in a tough old battle at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground last Saturday afternoon.
The final score in this Fidelity Security First Division South Section match was perhaps a little bit flattering for the home side as there was a period early in the second half where it looked as if the Dolphins might be finding a way back.
However, once Juan van den Berg took to the field, albeit at centre, the game changed and the Warriors closed the Dolphins out.
Tries were scored by fly-half Brandt Fields, props Lourens Stapelberg and Tian Malherbe, off-the-bench centre Van den Berg, Sananelo Ndlazi and there was a penalty try, which is an automatic seven points (no kick required).
Fulback Tienie Viljoen kicked three conversions.
There were two yellow cards, with hooker Jaques Coetzee and flank Lunga Madlala having to spend some time under the poles.
Man of the match awards went to eighth-man Brendan Rademeyer (forwards) and scrumhalf Chris Mitchell (backline).
Rademeyer was again, (like a mini-Thor – he looks a tiny bit like Duane Vermeulen), seemingly everywhere and making an impact.
Mitchell had a superb game, with some sniping runs, setting up a number of the tries.
Wiry outside centre Rameez Allie is proving to be one of the team’s new big hitters.
He definitely surprised some of the Dolphins players (and maybe even Warriors players too) with the ferocity of his tackling.
Some of the Dolpins stayed down longer than they wanted to, no doubt.
TEAM: 1 Tian Malherbe, 2 Jacques Coetzee, 3 Lourens Stapelberg, 4 Chris Sharpe, 5 Jade Nyman, 6 David Durrheim, 7 Lunga Madlala, 8 Brendan Rademeyer, 9 Chris Mitchell, 10 Brandt Fields, 11 Xander Lourens, 12 Devan van Eeden, 13 Rameez Allie, 14 Marchell Sass, 15 Tienie Viljoen.
BENCH: Jaco Coetzee, Msizi Mzindle, Duan Potgieter, Juan van den Berg, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Leon Kruger, Senanelo Ndlazi.
The next game is against Durban Mets at Douglas Mitchell this Saturday at 3.30pm.
After the arm-wrestle of last weekend, spectators can expect more of a try feast against (supposedly) weaker opposition, especially if fly-half Fields, who has some Carlos Spencer-like skills, gets the backline flying.
Donovan Horne will be back at inside centre, with Van Eeden moving to fullback, Viljoen to wing and Sass to the bench.
The Warriors have played nine games so far and won eight. They have seven to go, including a potentially huge game against to date unbeaten Hillcrest at home on June 23.
* The second team beat Ballito Dolphins 31-7.
Tries were scored by Tiaan Gerricke, Johannes Mofokeng, Nick Potonas and Christian Venter.
Duan Potgieter slotted three conversions.
Man of the match awards went to Diego Storm (backline) and Msizi Mzindle (forwards).
