Erries tame Rooi Bulle in FNB Classic

Match Report

Hoërskool Ermelo beat HTS Middelburg 23-27 in an FNB Classic Clash in Ermelo on Saturday. This leaves them unbeaten in the Mpumalanga league

It was the Erries' first win over the feared Rooi Bulle since 2002. The two teams were well matched in a titanic struggle but it was Erries' spirited play and determined defence which won the day.

In the first half the Erries put pressure on from the start and had a good 15-0 lead at half-time.

In the second half the Rooi Bulle caught the Erries on the sworn foot when they used the wind and attacked via the boot. Within the first ten minutes of the half they had taken the lead at 17-15.

But with an excellent effort to recover the Erries showed their true character and were rewarded with right points. This gave them a well-deserved victory.

For Erries DJ Spies, André Meyer and Jaco Otto scored tries. Jaco Otto was also named Man of the Match.

Teams:

Ermelo: 15 Deon Pruis, 14 DJ Spies, 13 Pieter Jansen van Vuuren, 12 Steven Grobler, 11 Jaco Otto, 10 Jacques Wheeler, 9 André Meyer, 8 Jaice Terblanche, 7 Gerrie Schoeman, 6 Ewoud Potgieter, 5 Marco-Pierre van Eeden, 4 Luan Oosthuizen (captain),  3 Awie van Aardt, 2 Christiaan Marx, 1 Theo van Schalkwyk.
Replacements: 16 PC Beyers, 17 Willem Landman, 18 Gerhardus Oosthuizen, 19 Reynardt Marais, 20 Tobie Wiese, 21 Marius van Zyl, 22 Pieter du Toit

HTS Middelburg: 15 Deon Helberg, 14 Juan Pretorius, 13 Rikus Smit, 12 Helgard Erasmus, 11 George Tossel, 10 Morné Oosthuizen, 9 Janis Terblanche (captain), 8 Henk Prinsloo, 7 Koos du Plessis, 6 Juan Small, 5 Riaan Venter, 4 Tinio Luthven,  3 Phillip Potgieter, 2 Theuns Duvenhage, 1 Henco Dickason.
Replacements: 16 André Beukes, 17 Dawie Beukes, 18 Hanno Snyman, 19 Hein Sauer, 20 Johan Koch, 21 Corné Janse van Vuuren, 22 Nico Potgieter 

Referee: Pieter de Bruyn (Pumas)

By Phillip Breedt