14a match report against Durbanville
On Saturday we faced a plucky and determined opponent in Durbanville and ultimately lost. We were forced to rue missed opportunities and poor first up tackling.
The focus of the entire week was to make sure we did not underestimate our opponents. We knew Durbanville had a talented side and were determined not to allow complacency to creep into our game. While this was adhered to for the most part it was noticeable that our first half performance lacked the usual bite and intensity we had brought to our previous four fixtures in the league. Our hosts started the brighter side and were rewarded for their good ball retention when their right winger slipped through our midfield almost untouched to dot down under the poles. Our forwards then gained greater parity thereafter and our dominant and powerful scrum resulted in a tight head which saw Jordan Thomas bust over for an uncoverted try. We trailed 7 – 5. Much of the remainder of the first half was spent in and around the half way with neither side holding the ascendancy. Just before the break poor tackling and good handling from our opponents resulted in another try for their right wing. At halftime we trailed 12 – 8.
The second half was one of concerted pressure from us with no reward. We spent the first fifteen minutes camped in their half and 22m area and were just unable to get over the line. Our lineout and scrum continued to impress and it seemed like a try was always moments around the corner yet it did not materialise. Durbanville in one of their few forays into our half in the second period scored what was to be the match clinching try five minutes from the final whistle. It also resulted in a hattrick for their talented and agile right winger. We lost the game 19 – 8 and credit must be a given to a talented Durbanville outfit.
Lots of hard work lies ahead this week before our Winter’s Day opponents come to town. It promises to be a huge game and the boys will need to take the loss on the chin and remain focused and committed throughout the week if they want to make history on Saturday against Paul Roos.
