Vereeniging beats brave Boksburg
Vereeniging handed the Boksburg Rugby Club its first defeat of the season by chalking up a 27-22 win, at Prince George Park, on Saturday, April 23.
A ruthless and clinical first-half performance by the visitors, led by a dominant scrum and line-out, set the tone for the big win in the Valke Peregrine League encounter.
Vereeniging camped in Boksburg’s half for most of the opening stanza, forcing the home side to make multiple and costly errors.
Vereeniging scored three tries in this period, two of which resulted from the Owls losing their own ball at line-out time. There was no response from the Owls.
The half-time score was 19-0 to Fanie van Wyk’s men.
With all to play for in the second stanza, with a mountain to climb, the home side sought to get themselves back into the game following some hairdryer treatment at half-time from coach Marcell Fourie.
Fourie’s influence and the Owls’ newly adopted never-say-die attitude this season, which saw them win their first five games, again came to the fore in front of their own supporters.
They limited Vereeniging to just eight points in the second-half and scored their own 22 points, to make the scoreline a lot more respectable.
Van Wyk’s men started the match as widely tipped favourites, at least on paper, and they were coming in at the back of a thumping 54-23 win against the reigning and defending champions, Brakpan.
And they were on the money for the tag – especially in the first-half.
Boksburg’s second-half showing, however, made a mockery of their underdog status.
Credit to them for their brave performance, which earned them a losing bonus point against a very good Vereeniging side.
Boksburg scorers: Tries: PJ Beaukes, Attie van der Nest, Wilbur Harris. Conversions: PJ Beaukes (2). Penalties: PJ Beaukes – @SabeloBoksburg
