SACS overcome the conditions and HTS Bellville

In a game that will long be remembered for the atrocious conditions under which it was played SACS beat HTS Bellville 24-5. After torrential downpours overnight and all morning the game was moved to the Memorial B-field, which although still muddy and slippery, tends to drain better than the main pitch.

It didn't help matters though that during the game it rained and stormed intermittently. At times it was difficult to see anything as sheets of rain pelted down but SACS showed a commendable desire to run the ball despite the poor conditions. SACS were full value for their win, which would have been much greater had conditions allowed it. The weather was a great leveller and allowed HTS Bellville to use their forwards to good effect while making judicious use of the boot. SACS counterattacked well on numerous occasions, fullback Rodney Mthi and his wings always looking full of running. Unfortunately they were not able to finish off more of these sweeping attacking moves.

HTS Bellville missed a penalty early on but it was SACS who scored first via left-wing Aaron Jacobs. SACS attacked from a penalty close to the HTS Bellville line and moved the ball left. Jacobs was held up but was driven over in the corner amongst a mass of bodies. Tim Carr was unsuccessful with the conversion. HTS Bellville struck back before the interval when they drove flank Johan Roos over to take the teams into half-time all square.

The teams slugged it out for the first half of the second half with SACS again having the better of the play. Camping down in HTS Bellville territory it was only a matter of time before SACS scored and after repeated forays at the HTS Bellville line. Eventually it was livewire loosehead prop Taariq Jakoet who went over. Jakoet has been in great form this season and deserved the score after a tireless display in the loose.

SACS sealed a convincing win with two quality scores late in the game. The first came after a good period of phase play. Flank Dugald Robertson eventually made the crucial line-break and streaked into score from twenty metres out. That was Robertson's third try in three games, proving his worth to the team.

Towards the end of the game HTS Bellville again missed touch and SACS set up a ruck on the opposition 10-metre line. Going to the right blindside they showed impressive hand speed to put burly wing Ishmat Fakier into space. Fakier showed a good turn of pace to get in under the sticks. Carr converted the last two tries, the second one on the stroke of full-time to seal an impressive win under appalling conditions.

This was a good win for SACS and they will be hoping to build on it as the face five taxing fixtures before the end of the term, the next one against Bishops at the Piley Rees next Saturday.

Scorers:

Tries: Ichmat Fakier, Taariq Jakoet, Dugald Robertson, Aaron Jacobs

Cons: Tim Carr 2

For HTS Bellville:

Try: JP Crafford

By Graeme Wepener