Cometh the hour cometh the man as Ryan Johnson sinks the Durbell ship with a brilliant solo try ten minutes from the end as Hammies -“Seccies” continued their seasons winning streak with a passionate 25 – 13 home win against Durbell RFC 2nd team. After conceding a sloppy first minute converted try against a very good Durbell outfit, the victory was all the better as we found ourselves on the back foot from the start and showed true guts and determination in a terrific win.
The intensity and drama unfolded early in the game when the appointed match Referee had to be rushed to ER with a suspected fractured ankle within the first ten minutes of the game. After a lengthy break, he was replaced by the third team match official and we would like to wish Le Eustace Beukes all the best with his recovery.
Ryan Johnson On His Way To The Line
Ryan Johnson (wing) opened his and Hammies-“Seccies” account five minutes before halftime after a fantastic maul from our opposition 10 meter line that was halted five meters out before the ball went wide right for an easy walk in try.
Leading 7 – 5 at the break, Durbell increased their lead with an early second half penalty. Ryan Johnson scored a fantastic solo effort try when he beat his man out wide and out-sprinted the cover defence but unfortunately was called back for a foot in touch. Immediately after, Enoch Panya (flanker) had a try controversially disallowed after a great forward drive. This sparked Hammies-“Seccies” into another gear as they started pressurising the Durbell line and after several attacking phases and rucks, Bantu Mene (prop) stretch over to score under the posts and we lead for the first time in the match with 20 minutes to play.
Our lead was short-lived when Durbell converted another penalty to lead 13 – 12 with fifteen minutes play remaining, Lohan Lubbe (flyhalf) slotted a penalty to give Hammies a 15 – 13 advantage. On the hour mark, Ryan Johnson destroyed the Durbell defence when he scored a brilliant individual try that was coolly converted by the Mr. reliable, Lohan Lubbe that effectively required Durbell to have to score twice to win the game. To add insult to injury, debutant and MOTM, Marnus Ferreira (scrumhalf) scored a well taken drop-goal from loose play five minutes from fulltime.
Marnus Ferreira Sealing The Victory
Hammies -“Seccies” pack of forwards were once again brilliant, with the Ross Beckett (flank) leading from the front with his great work rate and ferocious tackling. He was ably supported by Blackie Buhelezi (lock). The brilliance of the Hammies pack laid the perfect foundation for a quality win! It was also a welcome return from a long term injury for the Hammies – utility back, Richard Lawson (centre) who was fantastic in defence.
After nine league matches, Hammies – “Seccies” are still on top of SLA -2 with 43 points, followed by UCT 2nd team on 33 points from 8 games, Durbel 2nd team on 25 points from 7 games, False Bay 2nd team on 24 points from 6 games, Vic’s 2nd team on 22 from 6 games, Maties 2nd team on 21 points from 7 games.
After our annual derby on Saturday against the Villager, we have a mid-season break before we start our final run in for season against False Bay and Maties at home and then three away games at UCT, Belhar and Tygerberg.
Let’s stay positive and stay on Top – HAMMIES!
Our starting Line-up and bench that played against Durbell –
Reggie Boonzaaier
Ryan Johnson
Richard Lawson
Chad Moolman (replaced by Calvin Kotze)
Angelo Nelson (replaced by Gino Lupini)
Lohan Lubbe
Marnus Ferreira
Patrick Holman (replaced by Paul Maxwell)
Enoch Panya (replaced by Marnus Coetzee)
Ross Beckett
Tian Fick (replaced Jan-Hendrick v d Linde)
Sphephelo Buthelezi
Daniel Pikker (replaced by Ebrahim Oosthuizen) Mike van Niekerk (replaced by Robbie Trueman) Bantu Mene