Poorte handed their first defeat of the season
The second half started with wanderers applying pressure just after kick-off. Their efforts were rewarded with a penalty try as a result of some poor table manners from the hosts.
Rototank Roodepoort Rugby Club hosted a tactically aware Wanderers side on 22 June at the Ruimsig Stadium for a Pirates Grand Challenge fixture.
From the kick-off the visitors came at the Poorte side with guns blazing and scored two quick tries to make the score 0–14 in their favour.
After some exceptional line-cutting running from the Poorte fullback, Terence Longworth, the hosts were awarded a penalty try that helped them to close the deficit and make the score 7–14 to Wanderers.
Wanderers’ no 12 proved to be a menace to the home side’s defence when he cut through and sent his centre partner to score a good try for the visitors. The score went up to 7–21.
The troubling Wanderers centre found a gap again in the shaky Poorte defence and this time went all the way to score a beautiful try for the visitors, bringing the score to 7–26.
Poorte drew some inspiration from the supporters and tried to put on a brave fight to stay in the game. The backs showed good hands and clever passes that released no 15, Terence to score a well-orchestrated try under the poles.
The home team kept on pushing and fighting a good fight, which saw their efforts being rewarded once again when winger Tristan Moses dived over for a try in the far corner to make the core 19–26 at the close of the first half.
The second half started with wanderers applying pressure just after kick-off. Their efforts were rewarded with a penalty try as a result of some poor table manners from the hosts.
Poorte’s fullback was determined to change the game around. He showed the visitors a clean pair of heels and set up outside centre, Selom Gavor to score a try to bring the score to 26–33.
At some point in the game the score was tied at 33–33, courtesy of winger Lux Ntsepe who went on to score another try for his side to go into the lead for the first time in the match.
Poorte thought they had clinched the win when the score was 43–33 in their favour, but little did they know about the hunger and determination of the Wanderers players.
There was a deafening silence in the stands when the visitors replied with a good team effort try and quickly followed by another try to hammer in the last nail in Poorte’s coffin. The final score was 43–52 in favour of Wanderers.
Poorte were handed their first defeat of the season in what was a humdinger of a rugby match played in a good spirit, ending with the two teams coming together to show the respect that they have for each other.
