Garsfontein 1stXV secured a 26-18 win over Jeppe 1stXV in a close and physical match in Johannesburg on Saturday.
As expected this early in the season, several mistakes were made in this high-paced match. Jeppe played a structured game plan which served them well against Garsfontein who preferred to attack at every opportunity.
The scores were level 12-12 at the halftime break. Garsfontein used their dominant pack in the second half to control possession as well as territory and scored two forward tries to secure a 26-18 win.
Early in the first half both teams attacked whenever an opportunity arose and after nine minutes of play, Garsfontein were the first to score when Drewyn Baron controlled a kick-pass from Junaide Passensie, to secure Garsfontein a 05-00 lead.
From the kick-off, Garsfontein could not control a bouncing ball which landed in the hands of winger Joel Akilo who scored in the corner to level the scores.
Four minutes later Jeppe scored their second try when they used their big forwards to launch wave after wave of attacks on Garsfontein's tryline and eventually lock Lagan Leisher bulldozed his way over, Nehemia Hollenach converted to extend Jeppe's lead to 12-05.
Thereafter Garsfontein started to dominate and Wihan Bezuidenhout cut Jeppe's defence in two to run 30 odd meters to score Garsiefontein's second try, Joshua Gouws added the extra two points, to level the scores 12-12, which was the halftime score.
Garsfontein started the second half as they ended the first when lock JJ Fourie bulldozed his way over the try line for Garsfontein's third try. Joshua Gouws converted to extend Garsfontein's lead to 19-12.
Several penalties conceded by Garsfontein led to Jeppe's Nehemia Hollenach converting two penalties to cut Garsfontein's lead to just one point.
From the resulting kickoff, Garsfontein attacked and scored their fourth try when hooker Justin Blom scored off the back of a brilliant driving maul. Joshua Gouws added the extra two points to extend Garsfontein's lead to 26-18, which was the final score.
Scorers:
Jeppe: Tries: Joel Akilo, Lagan Leisher. Conversion: Nehemia Hollenach. Penalties: Nehemia Hollenach (2).
Garsfontein: Tries: Drewyn Baron, Wihan Bezuidenhout, JJ Fourie, Justin Blom. Conversions: Joshua Gouws (3).
Jeppe: 15 Lindelani Nkambule, 14 Kamva Mvinjelwa, 13 Pano Letsie, 12 Keagan Knightn, 11 Joel Akilo, 10 Nehemia Hollenach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Mihle Dykala, 7 Grady Ngui, 6 Mahlatse Memeza, 5 Glodi Tsipamba, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Andre Poulton, 2 Ayanda Funeka, 1 Joshua Hamman.
Garsfontein: 15 Junaide Stuart, 14 Drewyn Baron, 13 Joshua Gouws, 12 Keagan Knightn, 11 Yavrah George, 10 Junaide Passensie, 9 Derrick Khun, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 Kwagga van der Vyver, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Wihan Bezuidenhout, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Luan van den Berg, 2 Justin Blom, 1 Henre Prinsloo.
