Awesome Armentum crush Cobras

The in-form Huis Armentum – from Shimlas – kept up their awesome form in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, beating the Steinhoff Cobras (UCT) 48-10 at Groote Schuur on Monday.

Despite playing away from home, the visitors took the game straight to the Cobras, pinning them back on their own five-metre line for extended periods of time.

The Cobras initially handled the pressure magnificently as they repelled attacks constantly and counter-attacked with purpose for the opening quarter of the match.

In fact, the Cobras came close to opening the scoring from a scrum just inside the opposition 22 – only to be let down by poor handling.

Eventually the pressure told, however, as Armentum rounded off a fine backline move to break the line and score the first try of the game through centre Jannie Myburgh which was duly converted.

The rest of the first half was much the same; the home team defended frantically but eventually succumbed to the sheer amount of attacks on their goalline and the visitors went into half-time 22-0 up.

Despite playing into the wind in the second half, the Cobras came out a more determined unit.

They were unlucky not to get the first points on the board as flank Sinako ‘Snakes’ Dunywa broke three tackles on his way to the line but the ball was adjudged to be held up as he tried breaking through the last man.

This highlighted the night for the Cobras who produced moments of true magic but were let down through silly errors or pure bad luck. They managed to get two tries on the board in the second half through fullback Dean Smorenberg and centre Brendan Raubenheimer – but, with the wind at their backs, Armentum were not going to be denied as they added a further 26 points to their tally.

In the end, the Free State boys outscored their Cape rivals by seven tries to two and it truly was a great spectacle of rugby.

Quick hands and fantastic support from all players ensured that the Cobras were run off their feet as the ball never slowed down enough for them to catch their breath. Armentum are now perfectly poised for the business-end of the competition with maximum points from both their games thus far.

Flyhalf Inus Kritzinger, a late replacement for Reinhardt Erwee in the No.10 shirt, scored a brace of tries, whilst fullback Kobus Neethling, inside centre Jannie Myburgh, scrumhalf Enrico Shultz, hooker Johan van Tonder and replacement Pieter van Zyl also touched down.

Kritzinger slotted three conversions and Jannie Myburgh goaled two tries and added a penalty.

This win keeps Huis Armentum in first place in the Southern section of the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships log and they are in pole position ahead of the play-offs.

The scorers:

For the Steinhoff Cobras:
Tries: Dean Smorenberg, Brendan Raubenheimer

For Huis Armentum:
Tries: Kobus Neethling, Jannie Myburgh, Inus Kritzinger 2, Enrico Shultz, Johan van Tonder, Pieter van Zyl
Cons: Jannie Myburgh 2, Inus Kritzinger 3
Pen: Jannie Myburgh

By Rory Holmes