Good day in bad weather for Affies

Match Report

To beat Grey College on the rugby field is an impressive and nigh impossible feat. To do it in consecutive years is almost unheard of, but this is exactly what Affies achieved in Pretoria on Saturday when they defeated their Free State visitors 18-13.

The annual match between these two old foes produced some fine rugby and was thoroughly enjoyed by a crowd of approximately 12 000.

The Affies’ victory can be attributed to an excellent team performance and an awesome performance by their tigerish pack of forwards. Grey College were placed under enormous pressure at the set phases and lost line-out ball at least six times. They were also beaten in the race for second-phase possession, which starved their dangerous backline of much-needed possession and allowed the home team to apply the pressure needed to put the overwhelming favourites on the back foot.

Grey opened the scoring through a penalty by left wing Gerhard Landman. Affies replied in the twentieth minute after sustained pressure on the visitors’ try-line, when flank Armand Keyser was barged over by his marauding pack of forwards. Gerhard van den Heever (fullback) was on target with the conversion to give his team a 7-3 lead. Grey’s only reply came from another Landman penalty to see the home team go into half-time 7-6 up.

Affies gave their faithful support much to cheer about in the second half when they continued their relentless pressure on the Grey defence. This was rewarded when Van den Heever went over for an excellent try in front of the delirious Affies home crowd to send his side into a 12-6 lead.

Grey had their moments in this half though, and right wing Robert Ebersohn showed some fine skills in carving through the otherwise Fort Knox-like Affie defence for a try near the posts. Landman converted to give Grey a slender one point lead.

Affies were not to be outdone, though, and they regained the lead through another penalty from Van den Heever. They surged right back onto the attack and the pressure told as Grey wilted and conceded yet another penalty which Van den Heever gladly accepted to put his side 18-13 up.

To mention individuals in such a fine team performance would almost be unfair. Fine performances from captain and eighthman Gerrit-Jan van Velze, locks Cornel Hess and Dirk Fourie, and tighthead prop Frik Kirsten went a long way, however, in ensuring the victory for the home side.

Fullback Van den Heever was also on song and must have done his chances of grabbing a Craven Week spot a lot of good. He was fearless under the high ball, and deadly on attack.

Lock Sybrand Mostert excelled in the Grey pack, while PW van Vuuren (hooker) and Robert Ebersohn also put in fine performances.

Grey will rue the poor kicking from Landman, but Affies were full value for their victory, and it would have been an injustice if they had lost this match. The Wit Bulle can look forward to their rematch with the much-vaunted Waterkloof next weekend. If they can repeat this kind of performance, well, who knows?

Scorers:

For Affies:
Tries: Armand Keyser, Gerhard van den Heever
Con: Gerhard van den Heever
Pens: Gerhard van den Heever 2

For Grey:
Try: Robert Ebersohn
Con: Gerhard Landman
Pens: Gerhard Landman 2

By Billy Brown