After coming off four out of four wins, the U20s were keen to keep this winning momentum going forward to a tough encounter against newly promoted Brackenfell side. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game as we played them a few months ago in a
friendly match and the U20s managed to grind out a win in that game as well.
The conditions on game day weren’t the best due to the strong south easterly that was pumping throughout the match which forced both sides to make numerous handling errors.
Brackenfell dominated the first few minutes in the first half and after numerous phases in our 22m they got a penalty due to the poor discipline at the breakdown from the U20s.
The opposition were applying some high pressure on our backline which prevented the ball from getting out to our wings. When we did manage to get the ball wide, centre Ivan Kunz and winger Andre Manuel managed to link up at the right time and Andre Manuel scored a brilliant try. Brackenfell then came back hard and after camping in our 22m for about 8 minutes they got another penalty and they slotted the 3 pointer. Credit must go to the U20s for their defence as they defended like Trojans and forced Brackenfell to take the points. Half Time score was 8 – 3 to us.
In most of the previous games, the U20s really started to play some good rugby in the 2nd half which must be partly due to their fitness. With the score only being 8 – 3, and only managed to score 1 try the U20s were keen to get the ball rolling and start to dominate the game and hopefully get the vital bonus point. The U20s made their intentions known when flanker Uwe Geissler crossed over the line for our second try. Shortly after that, our debutant 8th man Aiden Burnett managed to burst his way through Brackenfell’s defence and dotted the ball down.
With the momentum going to the U20s, Brackenfell then created numerous phases and managed to score their first try. The U20s weren’t going to sit back with about five minutes to go and take the 22 – 13 victory. The U20s wanted that fourth try to secure that vital bonus point. Off the kickoff after the Brackenfell try, Flyhalf Wynand Maclachlan managed to drive the ball from his own 10m line to Brackenfell’s 22m line which created the perfect platform
for the U20s to score that vital fourth try. After that lovely drive by Wynand Maclachlan, it had to be him to score that vital fourth try which he did manage to do with seconds remaining on the clock. Full time 27 – 13 to the U20s.
Noticeable performances were by Keenan Alexander, Ivan Kunz and Wynand Maclchlan.
The U20s have now got five out of five wins with bonus points. With four tough games remaining until the break, the U20s are adamant to keep this winning mentality going.
View match images here
Try Scorers – Andre Manuel, Aiden Burnett, Uwe Geisller and Wynand Maclachlan
Conversions – Wynand Maclachlan (2)
Penalties – Wynand Maclachlan
By Matthew Marais