BAY BEAT HELDERBERG
False Bay RFC followed up on their great start to the SLA season with a convincing win over Helderberg at Constantia on Saturday. The final score was 43-29 after the Bay had led 29-10 at the break.
The Bay started off strongly, indeed securing the bonus point for four tries in the 29th minute of the contest. They were not fluid in the opening minutes and took some time to settle, during which their play lacked accuracy.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis opened the Bay’s account with a penalty, which was shortly followed by a solo 50 metre run by wing Danie Roux. Fast and very strong, he wafted through some tepid tackles and ghosted around others. Cousin Jaco Roux was not about to let his side of the family down, bagging a brace of tries during the match.
In the opening half hour, the Bay were determined and focused. Their defence on the whole was sound and they relentlessly attacked the opposition lines. Their scrums were strong, giving a solid platform for eighthman Whalied Heyns to pick up and drive and for their backs to run the ball. Former Springbok prop, Keith Andrews, is the forwards scrumming coach and his good work is clearly evident.
The Bay’s third and fourth tries are worth mentioning, as they featured moves using the width of the pitch, first hitting one flank and then striking on the other side, with defences stretched and porous. One of Jaco Roux’s tries saw a left and right attack and featured two big tight forwards, prop Herbie Mayosi and Lungelo Payi showing deft handling touches before sending the speedster over in the corner.
False Bay has 4 tough matches in the space of two weeks and player preservation is paramount. Coach Kevin Musikanth rotated his players cleverly, which allowed the visitors the opportunity to stage a somewhat worrying comeback.
Inspired by some straight, hard running by replacement centre, Elroy Tandy, Helderberg put the home side under some pressure with a determined fight back, which had the points difference been closer, could have caused some upset and fray spectator nerves unnecessarily.
Indeed Helderberg earned a bonus point for scoring 4 tries and their last quarter comeback served to ignite the overall excitement level, as the Bay seemingly cruised to an easy win. Scoring two more tries to take the scoreline to 36-22, Helderberg were hard on attack and the game entered a phase of attack and counter-attack, seesawing from one end of the pitch to the other. The wind was taken out of their sails when Whalied Heyns scored a try off the base of a particularly strong scrum.
Outstanding players for the Bay were Lungelo Payi, Ridhaa Damon and Whalied Heyns.
Helderberg were well served by flank Gary Williams who was rewarded with a try; Elroy Tandy who definitely made an impact upon entering the contest; and centre Enrico Swartz, who managed to break the Bay line a little too often for their liking.
For False Bay, Danie Roux, Jaco Roux (2), Ryan Williams, Whalied Heyns and Kyle Wickens scored tries. Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis converted 4 as well as a penalty, and Damon converted one try.
Helderberg’s points came from tries by Williams, Tandy, wing Shaun Labuschagne and fullback Ian Coetzee, who converted three as well as a penalty. False Bay last played in the Super League A in 2001 and their opening 5 matches are a real test of character and desire to succeed at this level.
Certainly they have already proved themselves worthy participants amongst the Province’s top ten clubs, their opening results support that, but their mettle will be tested by May 1 (Mayday), in the last of four matches in 14 days against giants Maties.
A dream start to the Bay's season indeed. A glance at the SLA table sees False Bay second to Maties. It may be a stretch of the imagination to see this continue as the season progresses, but let it not go unsaid that this squad of players has what it takes to compete in this league.
That squad includes a second team who are all itching to compete in the top flight, and will not allow the pressure on the incumbent to subside. More importantly, when their chance does arrive, as invariably it does, they will by no means be a perceived weakness in the set up, having worked as a squad since November.
The Bay travel to UCT on Saturday then host Victorians on Tuesday 27 April, followed by another home match against Maties.
All supporters are invited to come down and watch these exciting contests.
The Bay started off strongly, indeed securing the bonus point for four tries in the 29th minute of the contest. They were not fluid in the opening minutes and took some time to settle, during which their play lacked accuracy.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis opened the Bay’s account with a penalty, which was shortly followed by a solo 50 metre run by wing Danie Roux. Fast and very strong, he wafted through some tepid tackles and ghosted around others. Cousin Jaco Roux was not about to let his side of the family down, bagging a brace of tries during the match.
In the opening half hour, the Bay were determined and focused. Their defence on the whole was sound and they relentlessly attacked the opposition lines. Their scrums were strong, giving a solid platform for eighthman Whalied Heyns to pick up and drive and for their backs to run the ball. Former Springbok prop, Keith Andrews, is the forwards scrumming coach and his good work is clearly evident.
The Bay’s third and fourth tries are worth mentioning, as they featured moves using the width of the pitch, first hitting one flank and then striking on the other side, with defences stretched and porous. One of Jaco Roux’s tries saw a left and right attack and featured two big tight forwards, prop Herbie Mayosi and Lungelo Payi showing deft handling touches before sending the speedster over in the corner.
False Bay has 4 tough matches in the space of two weeks and player preservation is paramount. Coach Kevin Musikanth rotated his players cleverly, which allowed the visitors the opportunity to stage a somewhat worrying comeback.
Inspired by some straight, hard running by replacement centre, Elroy Tandy, Helderberg put the home side under some pressure with a determined fight back, which had the points difference been closer, could have caused some upset and fray spectator nerves unnecessarily.
Indeed Helderberg earned a bonus point for scoring 4 tries and their last quarter comeback served to ignite the overall excitement level, as the Bay seemingly cruised to an easy win. Scoring two more tries to take the scoreline to 36-22, Helderberg were hard on attack and the game entered a phase of attack and counter-attack, seesawing from one end of the pitch to the other. The wind was taken out of their sails when Whalied Heyns scored a try off the base of a particularly strong scrum.
Outstanding players for the Bay were Lungelo Payi, Ridhaa Damon and Whalied Heyns.
Helderberg were well served by flank Gary Williams who was rewarded with a try; Elroy Tandy who definitely made an impact upon entering the contest; and centre Enrico Swartz, who managed to break the Bay line a little too often for their liking.
For False Bay, Danie Roux, Jaco Roux (2), Ryan Williams, Whalied Heyns and Kyle Wickens scored tries. Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis converted 4 as well as a penalty, and Damon converted one try.
Helderberg’s points came from tries by Williams, Tandy, wing Shaun Labuschagne and fullback Ian Coetzee, who converted three as well as a penalty. False Bay last played in the Super League A in 2001 and their opening 5 matches are a real test of character and desire to succeed at this level.
Certainly they have already proved themselves worthy participants amongst the Province’s top ten clubs, their opening results support that, but their mettle will be tested by May 1 (Mayday), in the last of four matches in 14 days against giants Maties.
A dream start to the Bay's season indeed. A glance at the SLA table sees False Bay second to Maties. It may be a stretch of the imagination to see this continue as the season progresses, but let it not go unsaid that this squad of players has what it takes to compete in this league.
That squad includes a second team who are all itching to compete in the top flight, and will not allow the pressure on the incumbent to subside. More importantly, when their chance does arrive, as invariably it does, they will by no means be a perceived weakness in the set up, having worked as a squad since November.
The Bay travel to UCT on Saturday then host Victorians on Tuesday 27 April, followed by another home match against Maties.
All supporters are invited to come down and watch these exciting contests.
