Graham ‘G-Force’ Iellamo of the Dream Team made a monstrous hit on a helpless Heathens centre in the opening seconds of the Rhodes Internal League rugby final.
Graham ‘G-Force’ Iellamo of the Dream Team made a monstrous hit on a helpless Heathens centre in the opening seconds of the Rhodes Internal League rugby final.
This set the tone for the match on Friday 13 September, which saw the Dream Team emerge 2013 champions.
The first half was predictably tight. Dream Team were lethal in their execution on attack, leading the towering Tim Brown to crash over the whitewash for an early score. The conversion was also made.
They later converted a penalty, taking their tally to 10 points.
Heathens fought back through their potent backline, with full-back Dan van de Vyver scoring his second try in as many games. This try was also converted.
Both teams headed into the shed with the half-time score at 10-8.
In the second half, Dream Team turned their opposition’s evening into a nightmare.
They managed to run in three unanswered tries through Chris White, an interception from Stevie Leclezio and juggernaut Iellamo to seal a comprehensive 28-8 victory.
In 2012 and 2011 the Dream Team faced Heathens in both Internal League finals and lost.
In the 2013 first semi-final match played on Wednesday 11 September, Dream Team faced The Hill on a wintry evening. Poor defence and an inability to fully utilise their opportunities let The Hill down.
Dream Team were clinical with ball in hand and managed to run out comfortable winners. The final score read 36-0, which is also testament to Dream Team’s steadfast defence.
Chase Le Roux was the stand-out player for Dream Team, and was duly rewarded with purple Rhodes rugby shorts for his Man of the Match performance.
Founders and Heathens played in the second semi-final.
Founders took their chances in the first half and the beginning of the second.
They scored a try in both, courtesy of a brilliant solo effort from Brandon Redman and the lightning-fast Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, a Zimbabwean Sevens international player.
Heathens staged an impressive comeback, starting with a try from JJ Crag. Ryan Dewey slotted the conversion.
Impressive work from the Heathens backs led to Van De Vyver scoring in the corner to take the score to 16-13 after a missed conversion.
With minutes remaining, lanky lock Jurgen Stroebel secured victory for the boys in blue with a third five-pointer for his side.
It ended 18-16 to Heathens.
The Rhodes Internal League employs the Varsity Cup points system. A try is five points, a conversion is three and a penalty is worth two.
The idea behind this system is to encourage running rugby as opposed to constantly kicking for poles.
