Maties look like champions
2008-09-09 19:44
Cape Town - Reigning champions Stellenbosch looked the part when they ran out easy 44-5 winners in their SAA National Club Rugby Championship quarterfinal clash at Stellenbosch on Tuesday evening.
The talented Maties line-up found their rhythm early on and were poised to strike early but the Roses United defence thwarted three attempts just short of their tryline in the first eight minutes of play.
There was no shortage of commitment on either side and twice the referee had to stop play as tempers became frayed which resulted in two yellow cards for indiscretions on either side.
Matie centre Chase Minaar and Roses' prop Edgar Arendse were sin binned as the referee decided to clamp down on foul play in the 16th minute.
The Maties kept the scoreboard ticking over with three penalty goals from their scrumhalf Henoe Stoffberg and right wing Wilhelm Loock rounded off a backline move in splendid fashion when he dived at the corner flag to snatch the first try in the match.
Stoffberg's failed with his conversion attempt from the touchline in the 19th minute (14-0).
Undaunted by these setbacks the Bolanders fought back with several spirited passages of play much to the delight of their massive group of supporters who egged on by their accompanying brass band orchestra.
Ran in unopposed
The Roses' shifted play wide impressively on several occasions and the Maties defence cracked in the 25th minute when Roses' fullback Garth April ran in unopposed near the corner flag for an unconverted try (14-5).
Minutes later the Maties went further ahead, thanks to two more Stoffberg penalties (20-5) but there was more inspired play, albeit unrewarded, by Roses as the half-time break loomed.
However, the teams changed ends as the rain came belting down with the Maties enjoying a commanding 20-5 lead.
Roses were reduced to 14 players four minutes into the second half when their lock Shane Jacobs was yellow carded and the Maties took full advantage of the depleted opposition when their eighthman Bennie Booysen forced his way for two tries in the space of six minutes. Stoffberg succeeded with one conversion (32-5).
These two tries seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Roses side who were never able to recover their composure. As a result they spent virtually the rest of the match in their 22m area and trying to keep the rampant Maties at bay.
They defended gallantly for the most of the way but ultimately leaked tries to flyhalf Therlow Pietersen and Loock, one which was converted by Stoffberg (44-5).
With this performance the Maties sounded an ominous warning that they are well on course for a record 13th championship title.
College Rovers and Brakpan ensured that an open club will play in the final after both teams shocked their more fancied university opponents in Tuesday?s quarterfinals.
KZN champions Rovers were surprisingly convincing 25-12 winners against Tukkies, while Falcons champions Brakpan beat the CUT Ixias 18-13. The two sides will contest the first semifinal on Thursday.
The other semi will feature university powerhouses Maties, the defending champions, up against 2006 title holders Pukke. Stellenbosch accounted for Boland champions Roses United, 44-5, in the main game while the Potch students beat archrivals the University of Johannesburg 17-11 in the day?s first quarterfinal.
The plate semifinals draw has also dished up some mouthwatering matchups: Eastern Province Despatch take on WP's SK Walmers, while Mpumalanga champions Nelspruit take on SWD's Bridgton
- SAPA