Grahamstown based Swallows rugby club clashed with Alicedale’s St Marks in an Eastern Province Rugby Union Super League Wellman Harmse fixture on Saturday.
Grahamstown based Swallows rugby club clashed with Alicedale’s St Marks in an Eastern Province Rugby Union Super League Wellman Harmse fixture on Saturday.
After a loss in their local derby against Easterns, Swallows were looking to get a straight win in this away game.
In the opening stages Swallows launched attacks at St Marks until they were awarded a penalty which Brian Goliath capitalised from.
Not long after that, Swallows prop forward Bulelani “Roots” Plaatjie bulldozed his way through the St Marks defence to score the first try for Swallows.
Shortly before halftime, St Marks scored an unconverted try bringing the score to 8-5 to Swallows. In the second half the Swallows came back with more wood in their fire, pressing St Marks from the 22 metre line to just outside the tryline, where the Alicedale side collapsed its maul and Swallows were awarded a penalty.
Then Goliath’s kick was right on target, stretching the score margin to 11-5. Later in the second half, St Marks surprised Swallows with a try that brought the score to a close 11- 10.
In the dying minutes of the match, St Marks launched several attacks at their opponents but the Swallows defence proved to be rock solid.
Swallows lock Wendell Lucas was a tower of strength for the local white outfit, especially in the line up jumps. The final score ended with Swallows winning 11-10.
Swallows coach Philip Oerson said his side had a lot opportunities to score more tries but due to ball-handling errors, a number of chances were missed.
“We are taking the league matches game by game and thus far I am happy with their performance but there is a lot yet to be improve.”
Swallows will be facing Winter Rose in their following game. Other results: Swallows 2nds won 28-0 Swallows 1st Reserves won 10-0.
