The final 1stXV game on the last day of the Noord/Suid Rugby Festival was between Affies and Welkom Gim. The conditions were very cold and extremely wet and muddy underfoot. Affies struggled for the first 40 minutes against Welkom Gim who threw everything at the hosts. Affies found some rhythm in the last 20 minutes of the game and managed a much needed win with 31-26.
The first 10 minutes of the game was dominated by a spirited Welkom Gim team. Welkom Gim set up camp in Affies' 22n with desperate defence from Affies saving several "certain' tries.
12:14 A rolling maul from Welkom Gim decimated the Affies defence and saw Welkom Gim scoring an "easy try." (05-00)
16:41 Affies took the lead after a try by centre Ruvan Lock. (07-05).
20:11 Welkom Gim pounce on mistakes made by Affies and scored a long-distance try to take back the lead. 07-12)
22:36 Affies responded almost immediately after a great box-kick by their scrumhalf was collected in the Welkom Gim's in-goal area. (12-12)
32:18 12 Scrappy play by Affies on the tryline of Welkom Gim cost them several try-scoring opportunities. Scrumhalf Lyton Horn goes over for Affies second try after an individual effort (19-12)
35:00 Affies is struggling to put any phases together and rely on individual efforts to beat Welkom Gim. Affies lead 18-12 at halftime with Welkom Gim looking the more organised team.
51:51 Affies scored their 4th try after a great scrum gave space to their backline to attack. (26-12)
55:01 Layton Horn again put Affies on the front foot with Lourens de Lange scoring Affies 5th try. (31-12)
61:55 Welkom Gim's rolling mall again the source for Welkom Gim's third try. (31-19)
68:30 Welkom Gim scored their 4th try against a hapless Affies. (31-26).
A struggling Affies scrape through against spirited Welkom Gim.
Scorers:
Affies: Tries: Ruvan Lock (2), Layton Horn, Adriaan Joubert, Lourens de Lange. Conversions: Riaan Gerber (3)
Welkom Gim: Tries: (4) Conversions: (3)