n a fast-paced and intense Makana Mayoral Cup final, arch-rivals Grahamstown Brumbies and the Eastern rugby teams clashed at Miki Yili Stadium last Saturday.
n a fast-paced and intense Makana Mayoral Cup final, arch-rivals Grahamstown Brumbies and the Eastern rugby teams clashed at Miki Yili Stadium last Saturday.
The Brumbies, who are the only Grahamstown club playing in the Eastern Province Rugby Grand Challenge Super League, lost to Eastern in last year's competition. In last weekend's game both teams were aware of the big incentives on offer, and it proved to be one of the greatest finals in the tournament's existence
Brumbies drew the first blood in the second minute of play, with a well slotted penalty by flyhalf Vincent Mains to give his side an early 3-0 lead. The physical battle between the forwards continued with the Brumbies dominating the scrums and lineouts, led by captain Monray Evans and number eight Kent Sheppard, who was named Man of the Match.
Eastern flyhalf, Pumlani Konwana replied with a 35m penalty in the fifth minute and again minutes later to give Eastern a 6-3 lead. They couldn't secure the lead for long though, as Mains levelled matters. Both teams had a number of scoring opportunities in the process, but solid defence from both sides got in the way.
After some skilful interplay between forwards and backs in the Brumbies, they eventually broke the solid Eastern defence. Replacement scrumhalf Shanton Whitebooi caught Eastern's defence napping as he ran along the blind side and offloaded to flanker Granville Isaacs, who scored in the right hand corner. Mains converted as Brumbies led 13-6.
Minutes later, Konwana successfully slotted a long range penalty, as Brumbies went into the half time break with a 13-9 lead.
Brumbies took to a different approach in the second half as they began to play more of a forward type of game, giving them upfront dominance that set up phase after phase with constructive stand-offs and well structured mauls. In the early stages of the second half, before a turn-over after a knock-on saw Eastern pushing for the try line, eventually they took the lead again as winger Andile Bill scored in the corner to give his side a single point lead.
But the Brumbies continued to pressure the opposition and started running with the ball, using their forwards to set up phases, which paid dividends after they converted a penalty try and once again took the lead 20-14. Sheppard, who played a storming game, was eventually rewarded for his hard work with a try that saw him charge through three defenders to score for his side, now making the score 25-14.
Konwana immediately hit back with a penalty 25-17, before Eastern centre Lem Mali scored from broken play. Konwana converted as the score gap narrowed to 25-24 in favour of Brumbies. Norman Denston went over for Brumbies as Mains converted the final try to give them a well deserved 32-24 victory.
For Brumbies, man of the match Sheppard had an outstanding all round game while he was well supported by his captain Evans, veteran Gareth Burger and hard-working flanker Hein Hopshire as the dominating forces up front. In the backline, Mains was once again a force to be reckoned with by controlling matters at the back, while replacement scrumhalf Whitebooi came on and put some life and urgency back into the backline. The Konwana brothers Pumlani and Unathi caused some major headaches for the Brumbies with their pace and skill in the backline.
Brumbies coach, Weston du Plessis said both teams contributed to the great rugby that was played in good spirit. According to him it was the experience of playing in the Grand Challenge and the composure of his side that pulled them through.
Eastern captain, Mtutuzeli Skeyi echoed du Plessis' sentiments, saying it was a great physical encounter between arch-rivals and that he was proud of his side.
At the closing ceremony Makana's Executive Mayor Zamuxolo Peter thanked all teams who took part in the tournament and said he was happy to see the sides taking sport seriously. He said that by using sport to unite South Africa and Makana, everybody walks away a winner. He congratulated the Brumbies on defeating the team that beat them to the cup last year, and thanked everyone who contributed to hosting the tournament, “and we must work together so that our sports facilities cannot be vandalised, as our own people destroyed our sports facilities,” he said.
The president of Sedru (the South Eastern Districts Rugby Union), Siphiwo Baninzi, then thanked all participants, clubs, referees, Sedru and Makana for their support and said that everyone who didn't win this year should work harder for next year. He also mentioned that his committee will be working with Makana who will again sponsor the Easter Tournament. Sedru turns 40 this year, and he said that they're planning a celebration that will include a Sub Union Day where senior, U19 and U21 Sedru sides will play against other sub unions.
Earlier in the day, the Lily Whites received a walk over against Winter Rose who failed to pitch up for the third and fourth play-off matches, while the Wanderers women side beat Winter Rose in a women's event.
The Eastern Provincce rugby leagues are scheduled to start tomorrow (Saturday), as well as the first match to be played at the renovated Oval Field sports facilities, at the bottom of Scott's Farm. After a three-year wait the Oval is now in fulls-swing, which is where the Brumbies will play against African Bombers (Super League Grand Challenge) with a full program starting at 12pm.
