Dale beat Daniël Pienaar in King

Match report

On Saturday in King William's Town Dale beat Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage 27-21 after the visitors had led 15-14 at half-time.

For the Tigers it was a disappointing performance, their worst match of the year. They were listless for all but the last ten minutes when they at last got stuck in.

The absence of Dewald Potgieter, eighthman and captain, and lock Vincent Gwavu – both in the South African Schools side in Pretoria – and outside centre Luthando Show, who was injured, had a bigger effect on the side than had been expected.

Dale on the other hand were spirited and played with greater urgency. They took the game to Daniël Pienaar and scored great tries. On the day they were the better side and deserved to win.

The referee was not always in control and, for example, allowed no injury time in the second half although there was a blood injury and a neck injury which stopped the game.

With two minutes remaining and the score at 27-21, Daniël Pienaar had a five-metre scrum in front of the Dale posts but could not control the ball and with that their chance of victory evaporated.

Scorers:

For Daniël Pienaar
Tries: Shaun Davids, Andrew Niemand, Schalk Oelofse
Cons: Shaun Davids 3

Fort Dale:
Tries: Bjorn Basson 2, S Seyibokwe, Alex Irumba, Jarryd Greyvenstein
Con: Guy Ranger

Report from Daniël Pienaar