THE second round of rugby matches this weekend saw another away game to Westville Old Boys and another disappointing evening for the Mighty Quins.
The second team got their season back on track after a narrow, last minute defeat in the first round by comfortably beating Westville 17-5.
The first team however put up a much better performance, but still fell short 11-7 to a determined Westville outfit.
The second team was never really trouble against Westville and Morne de Witt barged over under the poles as early as the sixth minute. The players were determined not to let it slip again and were playing very structured rugby by using their bigger pack of forwards to good effect.
Jeffery Ackerman slotted a penalty in the 19th minute to extend the lead to 10-0. The second 20 minutes of the half lost some intensity, as Westville starting working themselves back into the game again and it became a much better contest for the spectators. The Quins boys showed great fight in defending their line and held the home team at bay to go into a deserved half time lead of 10-0.
The second half was more of the same and Jean Spies at flyhalf was having a very solid game and was rewarded with a try of his own in the 55th minute to take Quins into a commanding 17-0 lead. Westville came back and showed good fighting spirit to score a try of their own in the 68th minute but it was too little too late as Quins held out for a comfortable 17-5 win. Man of the match awards went to Morne de Witt and Jean Spies for their solid games.
The first XV were very determined to remedy their disappointing performance in the first round, but came up against a spirited, new-look Westville side, looking to build on their first round upset over Hillcrest.
The game started like a house on fire and again it was Quins that made the slower start. Westville showed great determination and accuracy in their play and scored their first try as early as the third minute. This was followed up by a penalty in the sixth minute. An early lead of 8-0 had the visitors under pressure early on.
The early setbacks got the Quins boys into action and they too started showing better urgency and determination to work themselves back into the game. Territory and possession swung the visitor’s way and they were putting Westville under immense pressure at times. The reward came in the 28th minute when captain Riaan Nel slipped through the defense to score a well-deserved and well worked team try. Sadly the good work was undone when a penalty was conceded immediately after the restart to extend the home team’s lead to 11-7, which remained until the oranges at half time.
The second half became an arm wrestle as both sides tried to outwit and outplay the other. Sadly it also became error-ridden as far too often the ball was dropped or lost in contact. These errors cost the visitors the game as they failed to get their game going. No score was added in the second half from either team and the home side held on for the victory.
It's back to the drawing board for the Mighty Quins, who will be looking forward to their run of four home games to get their season back on track again. Man of the match awards went to Shaldon Lourens and Carl Donovan for their sterling performances on the night.
This week sees Quins take on UKZN Howard College on Saturday in the first home game of the season. This should prove a great fixture as UKZN gave one of the favourites, Richards Bay, a real scare this past weekend. Quins looks forward to seeing the Bluff community supporting the fixture. Games start at 2pm and 3.30pm.
PHOTO: Lock Nicolaas Engelbrecht takes another line-out ball against Jaguars.
