Our Final Pool game in 2015 Community Cup took on epic proportions as Evergreens from Pacaltsdorp took the journey down from George to claim a win in Cape Town and book their ticket to the Community Cup Play Offs.
Despite only being a pool game the fact that neither side had lost in the competition meant the match turned out to be a straight knock out.
The first half was a clinical performance from Hamilton’s as we weathered a committed and determined Evergreens team.
Our set piece play set a fantastic platform as we dominated them in this area due to our contesting policy and pressure at scrum time denying them of quality possession.
To their credit they took full advantage of the scraps and kept themselves in the game with 2 excellent tries, one off a counter attack from a poor clearance and the other after a neat break by fly half Leagan Moos.
We had targeted their pack and played around the fringes looking to fatigue and potentially open up the game in the second stanza. Captain, Jody Burch, scored a brace in the first half with the first coming after he dived over from a ruck after sustained pressure.
The second was an excellent push over try just before half time as we looked for the killer blow.
Monty Dumond set up our third try after a sniping break unleashing a flying Braam Gerber to score untouched under the poles. All 3 tries were converted and we headed into the break 21-18 up as we played into the stiff North Westerly.
We shifted our focus and hit the second half running as Pierre Cronje launched wave after wave of attack from deep. Pulling them wide and lifting the tempo which we knew would ultimately start creating opportunities.
Monty Dumond’s neat cross kick from a great counter attack found Richard Lawson out on the far left hand side. An excellent touch and pop inside to Greg van Jaarsveld saw our hooker score the opening try of what would be 3 in the second half.
The other 2 tries were both by our wingers Iewan Bartels and Craig Pheiffer.
Craig’s try was a great individual effort as he bounced a would be defender then stepped off his left to beat the cross cover before handing off the final defender to put the nail in the coffin.
Shane Vallender slotted a late penalty as well as two excellent conversions from either touch line to ensure that we qualified for the Community Cup Finals in Rustenberg next week
Big thanks to all the supporters not only on Saturday but through out the Community Cup. It was great to have you there nullifying the presence of the travelling hoards from George.
Final Score 45-21 a comprehensive polished performance.
Hamiltons (21) 45
Tries: Jody Burch (2), Iewan Bartels, Greg van Jaarsveld, Craig Pheiffer, Braam Gerber.
Conversions: Monty Dumond (4), Shane Vallender (2).
Penalty: Vallender.
Evergreens (18) 21
Tries: Luzanne Williams, Joseph Fortuin.
Conversion: Leegan Moos.
Penalties: Moos (3).
By Anton Moolman