SACS too good for Wynberg

The match began slowly with the teams feeling each other out. SACS played with the wind at their backs in the first half and were first on the scoreboard via a Tim Carr penalty. Wynberg struck back soon after through Angelo McKaiser before Carr again put SACS in front.

Camping down in Wynberg territory SACS secured a five-metre scrum. They moved the ball wide but a pass went awry. Outside centre Aaron Jacobs turned and picked the ball up and in so doing ducked under his opposite number. He cut through and could have scored himself but unselfishly passed inside to fullback Rodney Mthi. Carr converted to put SACS 13-3 ahead.

The wind meant SACS were easily able to play for field position and they extended their lead to 19-3 via two more penalties. That would have been about the lead they were hoping for at the interval but Wynberg scored via a charge-down to make it 19-8 and anybody’s game,. Wynberg flyhalf Christo Terblanche getting in the way of a Chad Moolman grubber and going over for a moral-boosting score on the stroke of half-time.

Wynberg must have backed their chances with the wind at their backs in the second half but SACS played intelligent rugby. Kicking well and controlling possession SACS dominated territory even with the wind in their faces. Although SACS were unable to add to their score in the second half, Wynberg never looked like scoring until it was too late. Wynberg hardly got their hands on the ball and when they did they didn’t use it well. They kicked poorly and their backs had very little penetration.

For SACS loose-forwards Dugald Robertson and Adam Norman were again immense. Burly hooker Robbie Herring continues to mature as a player and his line-outs were excellent in trying conditions. Rodney Mthi was his usual sparkling self on counter-attack while inside centre Chad Moolman kept the ball in front of his forwards with some storming runs in the second half.

Wynberg eventually managed to get down in the SACS 22-metre area at the death and put together a sustained period of attack. SACS defended brilliantly for a few minutes before Wynberg eventually forced an overlap on the right-hand side. Right-wing Mark-Andrew Sabatta waltzing over unopposed in the corner. It was too little too late though and SACS held on until the final whistle.

This was an important away win for SACS as Wynberg have been a bogey team for the last couple of seasons. SACS head off to Cape Schools Week in East London brimming with confidence.

Scorers:

For Wynberg
Tries: Christo Terblanche, Mark-Andrew Sabatta
Pen: Angelo McKaiser

For SACS
Try: Rodney Mthi
Con: Tim Carr
Pens: Carr 3

By Graeme Wepener