East Rand United win Valke Merlin League

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After going into the half-time break trailing 34-14, the Reiger Park outfit rallied before stunning their more fancied opponents by outscoring them 42-17 in the second half, at the Barnard Stadium, in Kempton Park, on Saturday, August 22.

Nigel, who were widely regarded as favourites, were full value for money early on as they raced to a 17-0 lead within the opening half of the first-half.

United’s chances of making their way back were boosted when tight-head prop Yagaa Crook crossed the whitewash for his side’s first points of the match, before a yellow card reduced Nigel to 14 men.

The leaders, however, showed their mettle and finals pedigree with an additional penalty and two quick consecutive tries to all but end the match as a contest, with the score at 34-7.

United got themselves back on the scoreboard with their second converted try of the half, to make the score look more respectable at the break.

The Reiger Park team, seemingly down-and-out following a lopsided first-half in favour of Nigel, showed signs of life as they began with a bright start, following the recess with their third converted try, 34-21.

The pattern of the final, however, continued and, every time United looked like closing the score gap, Nigel would strike twice as hard.

United’s third try increased fears of the match ending as a forgettable final for rugby lovers and a humiliating ordeal for everyone involved with United.

The log winners kept their lead healthy as they notched over another penalty to lead 37-21 before stinging United hearts with a converted try to take a 44-21 lead – and at that stage, the trophy as well.

United made it 44-28, but again Nigel stretched their lead to 51-28.

With Nigel in the driving seat and heading for an easy win Derick Sampson’s men stuck to their guns and strengths: creating chances by running the ball from deep positions.

Sampson went for broke and turned to his bench to add emphasis to the side’s traditional play.

A change at left wing which saw Willie Meyers being replaced by Dustin Losch proved to have the most impact, with Sampson later explaining that he needed more speed in the position.

United restored respect to the score with another try, to trail 51-35 following a patient build-up. With Nigel silencing the crowd with their dominance in most parts of the match, the United faithful began to find their voices again as their yellow and green dotted down to cut Nigel’s lead to nine, 51-42.

You could sense the belief from the United players spread across to their travelling fans as the ”Hier kom a ding” (something is coming) shouts increasingly got louder as the pendulum began to swing in their side’s favour.

And something did come.

United suffered from over-eagerness as they, too, were reduced to 14 men in their quest to overturn what was arguably the biggest deficit in a Merlin League final.

With Nigel struggling to deal with United’s running game, Derick Sampson’s men capitalised with a Losch try to be within touching distance, 51-49.

The seemingly impossible comeback was complete after the hooter as Raydall Walters scored United’s ninth and league-winning try.

United assistant coach, Morne de Koker lauded the win.

“We’ve had three hard games this season, where we had to come from behind; we were hungry for this win to prove that we are the best team in this league.”

United, as de Koker pointed out, have made a habit of doing things the hard way throughout the season. Comeback wins include encounters against Benoni and VUT, but, as the team motto goes, they never quit.

Scorers

United: tries: Monde Kikana (2), Yagaa Crook (2), Reagan Fourie, Marion Nqweniso, Raydall Walters, Tyron Wessels, Dustin Losch. Conversions: Clayton Gindon, Raydall Walters (2), Reagan Fourie. Penalties: Reagan Fourie.

Team

East Rand United: 15 Clayton Gindon, 14 Luzuko Ndanda, 13 Raydall Walters, 12 Reagan Fourie, 11 Willie Meyers, 10 Monde Kinana, 9 Alvandre Maart (c), 8 Fanie van Staden, 7 Quinton van der Schyff, 6 Morne Jansen, 5 Carlon Carolissen, 4 Rudy Stoop, 3 Yagaa Crook, 2 Zolani Norawana, 1 Laurie Brown. Substitutes: 16 Lionel Koopman, 17 Tyron Wessels, 18 Rian van Wyk, 19 Marcus Leonard, 20 Dustin Losch, 21 Marion Nqweniso, 22 Marshell Hartzenberg – @SabeloBoksburg