Hammies 3rds powered their way to a hard fought 20 -7 victory over False Bay at Hamilton on Saturday.
On a dry warm day, the conditions were really good for running rugby and Hammies 3rd’s delivered a big win for the club over the 2016 league champions.
It was a very different looking 3rd XV from the past 2 seasons. A number of big names and star performers who have mostly played higher up in the club were selected from an enormous training squad. Encouraging signs with plenty of talent in the group already and more expected to compete for places next week.
The opening 10 minutes was a very tight affair as both teams traded some massive tackles in midfield. Both teams defenses holding up well with neither side backing down, this looked like it may be a low scoring game decided on kicks, before Ryan Smoothy Johnson bust out of a tackle and ran in a long range try with some sublime pace to open the scoring.
Returning to action this week, flyhalf Morgan Newman, who had an excellent day on attack and defence, added a penalty to take the score to 8 -0 before Full back Tuna Amutenya got in on the action and showed a very healthy crowd of spectators his sublime pace and stepping ability with another superb breakout try taking the score to 13 – 0
Hammies piled on the pressure in the 1st half and produced a fine all round display with captain Lutho Kote having a very good day playing at No 8. A position he could well grow into in the years to come.
Never too far from the action and in some really good early season form, Monre Lingeveldt rounded off an excellent team try with Morgan Newman playing a pivotal role in the build up. Morgans experience was a big plus for the 3rds and he was instrumental in the victory.
The rest of the 1st half was very clinical from Hammies who dished out a few lessons to False Bay, who just couldn’t cope with the physicality of Jacques Oosthuizen, Blackie, Mike Joni and Micheal Teichman,
The 2nd half went a bit flat for Hammies. Sitting on a 20 point lead at half time and only 2 or 3 turnovers conceded their was every chance to put a big score on Bay, but it wasnt to be.
To their credit False Bay played much better in the 2nd half and got their off load game going which caused problems for Hammies, who had to scramble a few times to keep the Bay out.
Hammies failed to secure the 4 try bonus point which was a little disappointing after such a dominant 1st half display.
False Bay did get eventually get some reward for a much better 2nd half with a consolation try late in the game from a botched Hammies line out.
Coaches Gavin and Dave were delighted with the result after being beaten a few times in a row by the Bay. This was most definitely Hammies 3rds day!
by Barry Herbert
Manager 3rd XV