Preseason preparation for the 2015 WP Super “A” rugby season continued as Hamilton SP RFC – “Seccies”, 3rd and u/20 teams traveled to False Bay on Saturday 28 March 2015 and came back with three 3 wins. Our u/20 team without their WP Academy players defeated False Bay comfortably by 14 – 0, while the 3rd XV without several regulars, came back after being 14-5 down with a late rally in the last 15 minutes to defeat False Bay 3rd team 14-22.
Our 2nd XV played against False Bay RFC 2nd XV in the main match of the day and destroyed the Bay hopes of a win with terrific first half of controlled structured rugby by scoring 4 unanswered tries. Leading 0-26 at halftime, Hammies had to make a couple of changes due to injury – firstly we lost Chad Moolman (Knee) who put in a very good and solid performance at flyhalf and soon after the break, the hard working flanker, Ross Beckett (severe gash to head that needed a visit to ER) and the quality – Morgan Newman (Centre) was also replaced just after the break. At one stage during the second half, Hammies pack had three props in the front row and both our hookers were playing 6 and 7.
In the end Hammies “Seccies” held firm and won the game rather comfortably 14-26.
A very good result achieved without ten players unavailable or injured from our previous two friendly outings. Thus far – Hammies “Seccies” have won three and lost one preseason friendly. In the process 36 players of which 13 of these players are still under 21, were used in our respective 35 – 7 away win against Wesbank RFC 2nd XV, 21 – 20 away loss against Brackenfell RFC 1st XV, 19 – 13 home win against St Georges RFC 1st XV and of course the 26 – 14 win at False Bay RFC. This goes to show that there is great depth at Hamilton SP RFC and the 2015 season can be a season to remember!
On Friday 10 April 2015, Hammies – “Seccies”, 3rd and u/20 teams travel to Durbell RFC to play a night game in our last preseason friendly.
Our point’s scorers against False Bay were – Tries by Ross Beckett (Flank), Jandre du Plessis (Centre), Morne Smith (Hooker) and Ryan Johnson (Wing), while Lohan Lubbe converted three (3) tries.
by Derrick Lichtenstein