Title glory for Shimlas

After the disappointment of the previous two years, in which FNB Shimlas lost twice in the final of the City League, they eventually lifted the trophy again on Thursday night.

The exciting Varsity Cup outfit defeated fellow University of the Free State team, Irawas, 42-17 in the final played on one of the UFS rugby fields. (Shimla Park was not available due to the Confederations Cup as European champions Spain have been training there.)

The final was a hard and tough encounter - as one would expect in such a derby match.

Places in the Shimla squad for the upcoming University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament were also up for grabs which gave the match even more spark. That extra spark, however, was not needed and two players (one on each side) were sent to the sin bin for dangerous play on the night.

Shimlas were forced to work very hard for their win over a team they lost to only three weeks ago. It must also be said that the final score flattered the winning team as the match was still in the balance with seven minutes remaining.

The winning team led 13-6 at half-time but spilled plenty of scoring opportunities. Flyhalf Reinhardt Erwee had two golden opportunities to score, but on both occasions he simply could not grab hold of the ball.

But, then, Shimla fullback Jan du Toit grabbed his chance shortly before half-time as Irawas simply run out of defenders which left him with a simple run-in.

Early in the second half Drew van Coller, Shimla's tighthead prop, stretched his team's lead to 20-7 with a five-pointer in which fellow prop 'Vaatjie' Koorsen played a major big role.

A try by Irawas lock Lebo Zietsmann after quick thinking by No.9 Danie Cronjé kept Irawas in the game - but Shimlas looked to have wrapped the game up when Boer van Niekerk (flank - pictured) scored for Shimlas straight after the very next kick-off.

Irawas, however, refused to surrender and were kept in the match thanks to two penalty kicks by flyhalf Niël Jacobs.

But a penalty and two further tries in the final seven minutes ensured a new champion was crowned.

Shimlas will now represent the Free State region at the National Club Championships - at Tukkies - in September; yet another Varsity Cup side that will be at the tournament!

But before that, the USSA week awaits them in Johannesburg where they will be trying to make it three in a row after winning the competition in 2007 and 2008.

The team should have all their top players available, except for injured players such as speedster Wouter Stieger, who injured his knee ligaments on Thursday.

The scorers:

For Shimlas:
Tries: Jan du Toit, Drew van Coller, Boer van Niekerk, Reinhardt Erwee, Ian Potgieter
Cons: Reinhardt Erwee 4
Pens: Reinhardt Erwee 3

For Irawas:
Try: Lebo Zietsmann
Pens: Niël Jacobs 4

* In the second league final, the UFS Under-21 team got the better of the Ritsems, the UFS third team. The final score was 22-14.

By Ruan Bruwer