Marlow scrape home against Daniël Pienaar

Match Report

Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday.

The match had been postponed from last term because of Craven Week demands.

Marlow, riding high after their defeat of Outeniqua, won 6-5 – two penalties to the only try if the of the tough match where unyielding defences dominated. The match was as even as the score suggests.

The first half was played largely between the two 22s. The teams were like two boxers cautiously watching each other, the one feeling the other out. The sides each had a kick at goal and each was missed. The sides each attacked strongly twice, and each time the defence held.

Marlow's flyhalf Jan du Toit and their fullback Nielbert Kitching impressed with their tactical kicking.

Handling errors, especially by Marlow, and solid defence kept the score to 0-0 at half-time.

In the second half the heavier Marlow pack put more and more pressure on the scrums and gave their side a territorial advantage. Both sides competed well on the opponents' throw into the line-out and turn-overs characterised the half.

In the 10th minute of the half Du Toit succeeded with a penalty to give Marlow a 3-0 lead.

In the 24th minute, after applying pressure, Daniël Pienaar scored from a scrum near the Marlow line when right wing Durè Tome went over. The conversion was unsuccessful and Daniël Pienaar led 5-3.

In the 27th minute fullback Kitching succeeded with a dropped goal to give Marlow back the lead at 6-5.

Scorers:

For Marlow:
Pen: Jan du Toit
Drop: Nielbert Kitching

For Daniël Pienaar:
Try: Durè Tome