Strong Klerksdorp Clinch Classic Clash

Hoërskool Klerksdorp, unbeaten this year, were too strong for Hoërskool Lichtenburg in their FNB Classic Clash in Klerksdorp on Saturday and ran out 27-19 winners, despite the intense efforts of the team from Lichtenburg.

In fact it was an intense match, which did not prevent it from being an exciting, running match. Both sides looked for tries.

From the start, both sides attacked. First, fast outside centre Rhoecus Jansen van Rensburg had a strong run down the right and then twice from penalties Lichtenburg hammered at the Klerksdorp line.

But Lichtenburg suffered a player in the sin bin and soon afterwards Klerksdorp opened the scoring. Flank Rico Cilliers forced his way ahead and gave a short pass to Jansen van Rensburg who raced over. 5-0 after 15 minutes.

Klerksdorp came back and scored a try through sheer strength as prop Divan Naudé forced his way over. Scrumhalf Wian Geldenhuys converted, Klerksdorp’s only points from the boot in the match.

Wimpie Venter of Lichtenburg had a good run and then a clever pass from Coenri van Rooyen sent fullback Ruben Oosthuizen in for a try. 12-7 after 25 minutes.

Another clever pass from Cilliers to Iz Buys brought about the third Klerksdorp try as the inside centre cut back, beat two defenders and scored. 17-7, the half-time score.

Klerksdorp were always willing to run from wherever they were on the field, but when their passing went awry near their own line, wing Richard Champion darted over for a try that made it 17-12, and brave Lichtenburg were back in the scrap.

Two minutes later, Klerksdorp hit back. Armand van der Merwe used an overlap on the far left to sprint down the touchline and score in the corner, 22-12 after 44 minutes.

Then came a thrilling period of non-stop play. Lichtenburg attacked, Klerksdorp broke out and attacked but that broke down. Lichtenburg kicked down into the Klerksdorp 22 where flyhalf Isrome Phatudi took a pass and raced away down the left touchline. As he was being tackle, Phatudi got a pass inside to Jansen van Rensburg who raced and was chased many metres to score. 27-12 after a splendid passage of play.

Tall Wimpie Venter reached up to intercept a pass and raced over the half-way line, down the middle of the field for a try at the posts. Francois Swanepoel’s conversion ended a match of much virtue.

Scorers:

For Klerksdorp:
Tries: Rhoecus Jansen van Rensburg 2, Divan Naudé, Iz Buys, Armand van der Merwe
Cons: Wian Geldenhuys

For Lichtenburg:
Tries: Ruben Oosthuizen, Richard Champion, Wimpie Venter
Cons: Francois Swanepoel 2

Teams

Klerksdorp: 15 Donovan Negpen, 14 Janré Pretorius, 13 Rhoecus Jansen van Rensburg, 12 Iz Buys, 11 Armand van der Merwe, 10 Isrome Phatudi, 9 Wian Geldenhuys, 8 Quintes Wilken, 7 Rico Cilliers, 6 Rossouw Karsten, 5 Hanro Senekal, 4 Enrique Ochse, 3 Divan Naudé, 2 Dewald Theron, 1 Franco Jacobs

Lichtenburg: 15 Ruben Oosthuizen, 14 Richard Champion, 13 Wimpie Venter, 12 Reinhardt Jahns, 11 Francois Swanepoel, 10 Coenri van Rooyen, 9 Jacques Stander, 8 Casper Claase, 7 Dian Scheepers, 6 Stiaan Loots, 5 Jackus Boshoff, 4 Waldo Nel, 3 De Wet de Villiers, 2 JG Gentle, 1 Lourens Jacobs

Referee: Jonathan Lottering
Assistant referees: Juandré Koekemoer, Rudie Stoop.