Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
In one of only two VirSeker Cup Competition matches played this weekend in Gauteng (all other matches were postponed or cancelled due to COVID) Helpmekaar hosted EG Jansen in Braamfontein on a pleasant autumn day with dry field conditions.
The match started at pace with EG Jansen scoring a try within the first 2 minutes. As predicted in the match preview, the big powerful EG Jansen forwards set up a good base for a strong backline run by the No 12 Hyman to score the try. Initially, the territorial advantage was fairly even between the teams.
However, EG Jansen camped in the quarter of Helpmekaar for most of the first half, launching attacks on the Helpmekaar try line with barging runs and good mauls. Both the forwards and backs made big defensive tackles on Helpmekaar, preventing them to play their fast brand of rugby. Helpmekaar however managed to gain more possession towards the end of the first half and scored during the few occasions they were able to enter the EG Jansen quarter. The halftime score was 21-10 in favour of EG Jansen.
EG Jansen controlled most of the game in the second half with good defence, territory and possession. However, Helpmekaar never gave up and started to run more with the ball finding gaps in the EG Jansen defence as they seemingly started to lose their intensity towards the end of the second half. Helpmekaar managed to narrow the scoreline with their No 4 Amiras, gathering the ball after a Helpmekaar kickoff and scoring a try.
No 15 Cupido, who was Helpmekaar's star playmaker, made a blistering run from the Helpmekaar quarter deep into the EG Jansen half, to allow the No 10 Smith to score a try. These were the last two tries of the match which ended 47-24 in favour of EG Jansen.
Match Timeline:
01:22 Tryby EG Jansen No 12 Hyman after a good platform set by strong forward play. Conversion by No 10 Benade (7-0).
08:16 Penalty by Helpmekaar No 10 Smith (7-3).
12:22 Try by EG Jansen No 9 De Bruin after a quick tap penalty. Conversion by No 10 Benade (14-3).
24:15 Try by Helpmekaar No 15 Cupido after good elusive running through EG Jansen defence. Conversion by No 10 Smith (14-10).
34:38 Tryby EG Jansen No 1 Redelinghuys after penalty lineout and subsequent phase play. Conversion by No 10 Benade (21-10).
36:37 Try by EG Jansen No 7 Groenewald and conversion by No 10 Benade (28-10).
38:38 Try by EG Jansen No 15 Edwards after collecting the ball from the EG Jansen kick-off. Conversion by No 10 Benade (35-10).
53:34 Try by EG Jansen No 10 Benade and conversion by him (42-10).
55:02 Try by EG Jansen No 8 Smith. Conversion missed by No 10 Benade (47-10).
57:11 Try by byHelpmekaar No 4 Amirasafter collecting ball from Helpmekaar kick-off. Conversion by No 10 Smith (47-17).
61:23 Try by Helpmekaar No 10Smith after a blistering run by No 15 Cupido from the Helpmekaar quarter. Conversion by No 10 Smith (47-24).
Final Score 47-24.
Scorers:
EG Jansen: Tries:No 12 Hyman, No 9 De Bruyn, No 1 Redelinghuys, No 7 Groenewald, No 15 Edwards, No 10 Benade and No 8 Smith. Conversions:No 10 Benade (6).
Helpmekaar: Tries: No 15 Cupido, No 4 Amiras and No 10 Smith. Conversions: No 10 Smith (3). Penalty: No 10 Smith
Article by Francois du Toit