Sasol Secunda Grip and Rip Rugby beat Rustenburg Impalas by a huge margin.
The first match for the Homeboys turned out a brilliant one. Sasol Secunda Grip and Rip Thrashed Rustenburg Impala 58-17.
Several teams that played so far had large margins and made their intentions known but Sasol’s effort could be rated as the one of the loudest. Other teams will take note.
Both teams appeared jittery, especially at the start of the game. Handling errors were everywhere.
The Impalas scored the first try, it looked as if Sasol would have their hands full. The first try was within 10 minutes of the start of the game.
Sasol continued to pressure Rustenburg only to have poor handling spoil the efforts. It might have been a bit of over-eagerness, but the poor handling reared its head far too often. I am sure that the coaching team will give a lot of attention to this area.
The home team continued to stamp their authority on the game with increasing confidence.
The lineouts were well controlled by Sasol with not too many loose balls. Rustenburg struggled to control their lineouts and lost a few to the home team.
Rustenburg proved no match for the bigger and heavier Sasol scrum. Sasol used their size and weight advantage well to push the Rustenburg scrum backwards, spoiling the ball for the visitors.
The Sasol forwards played well as a group and dominated in the loose as well, although Rustenburg managed to secure several turnover balls.
While I criticize the handling at times of both teams, I must commend the keen eyes of the home team. They intercepted Rustenburg’s balls on several occasions. Two intercepts turned into tries.
The backs of both sides tried to create opportunities, but Sasol proved to be the best at this. Once they started running, they attacked with determination. I would say that the ball could have been send down the line a bit quicker as the ball carriers ran into the tackles, but I have learned through the years that the best player always sit on the side. It looks so easy from the side but on the field, you have to make split decisions, Players don’t have the luxury of overthinking moves like I do and then I still air my own view. So, I am not sure why the ball was not passed earlier, but in my view, at least one possible try was lost when the visitors caught Sasol with the ball.
Now while the comments above might sound negative, I have to commend both teams on playing some spectacular rugby. It was a clean game with not many tempers flaring. We as journalists or photographers sometimes must wash our ears from all the swearing on the field. This time it was not so. Both teams came to play rugby. Unfortunately for Rustenburg, they were outplayed by Sasol in all aspects of the game.
Some exciting runs were made by both backlines but mostly by Sasol. Once the backline started running it was excitement all the way.
Several players from Sasol played outstanding games. It would be difficult to single out players, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the outstanding efforts by Dwayne Lake (who unfortunately sustained a serious ankle injury), Steyn vd Heever, Dalton Smit, Theuns Kruger and Mervin Gilbert, who were called up as a replacement.
Mervin even bulldozed the ref out of the way when he used his big body to ram through a wall of defenders. Dwayne intercepted the ball twice when Rustenburg passed it around the scrum. He scored from one such an intercept.
Sasol has a slogan that reads HEART. They played with heart and as a team to beat the defending champions comprehensively.
Well done Sasol Secunda Grip and Rip Rugby!
You made us proud today. It would have been great to have seen more spectators on the pavilions, but we are in the middle of a shutdown and it might have contributed to the low supporters turnout.
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