The South Eastern District Rugby Union (Sedru) Makana Mayoral cup rugby tournament saw Winter Rose and Lily White rugby clubs square off in a closely contested final at Miki Yili Stadium on Thursday.
The South Eastern District Rugby Union (Sedru) Makana Mayoral cup rugby tournament saw Winter Rose and Lily White rugby clubs square off in a closely contested final at Miki Yili Stadium on Thursday.
The game turned in the last few minutes, with Lily White coming out victors, 11-9 at full time.
Crowds came to support their teams on Human Rights day for the long anticipated final. Winter Rose looked set to dominate after being awarded a penalty in the first minute.
They narrowly missed the posts and it would be six minutes before they could make up for it, booting the ball through the posts in to put them in the lead 3-0.
Lily White countered with strong running rugby, but numerous handling errors cost them possession and put them on the back foot.
Gutsy defending from Lily White kept Winter Rose from scoring, putting the ball back on the halfway line.
A courageous run from the halfway line by a Winter Rose flanker saw him narrowly miss the try line in the 24th minute of the game.
Just four minutes later Winter Rose were awarded another penalty, increasing their lead to 6-0.
Another penalty in the 31st minute meant Winter Rose headed into the half-time beak with a comfortable 9-0 lead.
When the teams returned, Lily White regrouped and looked a force to be reckoned with. They were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute which saw them get on to the scoreboard for the first time in the match.
Two early substitutions is what Lily White interim head coach, Sonwabo ‘Sox’ Libi said made the difference: “First half I was panicking, but the subs changed the game.”
It was the 65th minute that saw the game turn when lock forward Thembelani Prince scored a try for Lily White after a costly mistake by their opponents.
A missed conversion meant the teams were now just one point apart.
“We gave away a lot of opportunities. We also created some – but they managed to convert theirs,” said Winter Rose captain Masonwabie Nduna.
With the teams as closely matched as they were, the players put their bodies on the line.
It was a penalty in the final minutes of the game that put Lily White in the lead for the first time and sealed the victory for the delighted team.
“I’m feeling happy. It was a tough game but I am proud of my boys. No one can stop us – we are shaping well,” said Libi.
Head coach of the losing Winter Rose side, Mfundo Manyati, said, “I am disappointed. We held the lead at half-time and the try came from a mistake – but we are looking forward to the season ahead.”
