It was de ja vu as Hammies 3rds kicked off once again at Brackenfell. Once again it was dry, hot and dusty conditions that greeted the players for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. A good sized crowd watched on as the rematch and important league fixture kicked off in sweltering heat.
From the outset, the Brackenfell team looked much the same as the previous encounter and went about their business as a well organised defensive unit applying pressure with rush defence and tough clinical rucking. Hamilton playing quite flat to the advantage line were well met and knocked off any early rhythm. Brackies were then suddenly rewarded with a long range effort and scored down the right wing which left quite a few surprised at the speed and effective execution. Hamilton’s defense caught napping and an early wake up call.
Hammies then started to attack from a more little depth and were able to get the ball wide, from a line out and set play. Flyhalf Blake floating a superb pass onto centre Monre Lingeveldt who cut the line and jinked his way in from 50 metres. Monre adding yet another try to his impressive start to this season. Blake to had impressive 1st half. He distributed very well and set his outside backs and hard running loosies away with slick well timed passing.
The next period of the match was very even until some more good handling from the backs released Ryan Johnson down the left wing. Ryan rounded his opposite number to score an fine solo try in the corner.
Not long after that, full back Alfed Mambinge who had a good day counter attacking with pace and purpose, set up a ruck 5 m short of the try line. Skoene was able to exploit a huge blind side and allowed centre Tristan to cruise in for a 3rd team try.
The 2nd half was all Hammies who then took things up a few gears and sent Ryan Johnson in twice. Ryan completing a hatrick and a strong candidate for a Man of Match performance. His final try a clever chip and chase which sealed the win for Hammies.
Once the shackles broke, there was also reward for a solid day on the right wing for Ben Hoekstra and lock Andries Englebrecht. Finally replacement flyhalf Tyren Lee rounded off the scoring {and also kicked a superb conversion from the touch line} making several important contributions for a good 2nd half out for him.
At scrum half Skoene had a very clinical 1st half before was replaced by Oupa who also showed a few nice touches in his 1st outing for the club.
Up front the back row had a field day and were exceptional in defense and attack. Captain and No 8 Ranger making some storming runs with great support from the tireless Jaques Oosthuizen and Louw Lategan. Hooker Martin Van Wyk also having his best game of the season so far with an much improved line out and scrum.
In summary, it was a much improved performance from the friendly against the same opposition. Hammies turning up a little late in the game, but once on song proving to much for Brackies who never gave up and are definitely one of the most improved sides in the league.
The players will enjoy this coming weekend off before locking horns with NNK on the following Saturday. This fixture will be at Hamiltons on 22 April.