BAY BAG A FULL 5
The match was something of a contrast, with the Bay taking first half honours and Helderberg taking the second. False Bay started strongly, overwhelming the home team with their clinical and structured play. Within twenty minutes they had racked up a 19-0 lead thanks to three tries and two conversions. It appeared as if the bonus point fourth try would not be far off, certainly expected to be scored in the first half.
Somehow that try took almost a full half to be scored as a combination of False Bay inertia and Helderberg guts contrived to stall the Bay's victory march.
Helderberg, a fine outfit, far better than their eighth position on the SLA suggests, fought back with power and determination, and a little help from the wind. The Bay forwards overshadowed their hosts in the first half with flank Macgiven Geleba featuring with ball in hand and lock Graham Knoop catching the eye on the run. Young lock Ryan Olivier, normally a standout player, soldiered on bravely after landing on his back from an illegal tackle while airborne, eventually succumbing to his injury.
False Bay opened the scoring with a try by scrumhalf Ridhaa Damon, who had a strong game all round. His cover defence dovetailed with his attacking flair and was a feature of the visitors's play. False Bay's second try was an attractive one after sustained pressure opened space for fullback Willie Pieterse to waltz over.
Big Macgiven Geleba scored a bullocking try at the end of some strong driving and interpassing, with flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, who had a sound, steady game, scoring the other first half points.
Helderberg had scored a try by fullback Ian Coetzee, who threatened throughout with some strong running. Ultimately he may somewhat undeservedly be regarded as the villain of the Helderberg piece as he missed 5 goal attempts. This however would be unfair, as he delivered a fine all round performance.
In the second half, with the wind, which had moderated somewhat at their backs, Helderberg staged a comeback of note. They were led from the front by lock and captain, de Wet Neethling who drove with power and pace. His try was followed by a Coetzee penalty conversion and the Bay were beginning to stare down the barrel of a gun at 19-13.
A try by centre Marc Davids, who along with Whalied Heyns, another standout Bay player of the season, started off the bench. The introduction of these two, while perhaps withthe reluctant blessing of the medical men, steadied the Bay boat and they seemed to regain some dominance. The try, started off a set piece was of such simplicity, it was brilliant. After drawing the opposition in through the forwards, Catrakilis fed a perfect pass into a gap for Davids to stroll in for the score.
With some daylight between the two teams at 26-13, Helderberg kept on coming and reduced the difference to 8 through a try by prop Martin Truter off the front of a lineout. Wing Shaun Labuschagne, who showed some sublime pace throughout the contest then crossed for a try which Coetzee converted.
The Helderberg tails were up, and on attack they were awarded a penalty in front of the Bay poles twenty metres out, a certain score which would have placed immense pressure on the visitors. Unfortunately, home flyhalf shared his opinion with the referee who had not requested it, and a certain three points were lost when the penalty was reveresed.
False Bay, far more collected than earlier, aided by the immense presence of Heyns and also the lineout work of replacement lock Sandile India, fought their way out of the red zone. The regular loose trio were now back in unison, captain Justin van Winkel as always at the forefront.
With five minutes to go and in relative control, van Winkel opted to wind the clock down through a series of drives around the edge of the rucks. Sound reasoning, but not what the loyal travelling support wanted, as their already frayed nerves were stretched seemingly too far. It worked though and the referee called an end to an entertaining game on the whole.
For once the Bay were on the right side of a one point points difference.
For False Bay Pieterse, Geleba, Damon and Davids scored tries, with Catrakilis converting three. Helderberg also scored four tries through Coetzee, Truter, Labuschagne and Neethling. Coetzee converted one as well as a penalty. False Bay got a full house of five league points and the home team two.
False Bay host UCT at Constantia on Saturday. This is their last home game of the season and all supporters and club rugby followers are invited to attend this match and share in the wonderful success the club has enjoyed this season. Kick off is at 4pm, with proceedings started by the Third Teams at 13h30.
