Bastion to wear the UJ Koshuis crown
Bastion managed to cling on to win a thrilling final 3-0 against Dromedaris on Wednesday night in UJ’s Steinhoff Koshuis League – finishing the season as the only unbeaten team in the process.
It was a hard and physical match, but the game was not, as expected, won by the forwards. The accurate boot of Bastion flyhalf, and Man of the Match Skroef Fourie, proved to be the difference on the night.
Fourie’s kicks for territory were excellent to relieve the pressure for his forwards, whilst ‘Drom’-flyhalf Windhond Floyd, struggled to find good rhythm on the night. Floyd missed three opportunities to put his team in front in the first half, after Bastion were constantly penalised in their own half.
Bastion had their best attacking play six minutes into the second half when a brilliant tackle by winger Tracker Modisenyane brought down Dromedaris winger Johan Snyman who – in turn – was penalised for holding on.
More drama was to follow, however, when the referee and his assistant ruled that Bastion’s inside centre, Grizzly du Toit, punched a ‘Drom’ player on the ground and was promptly sin-binned.
‘Drom’ saw this as an opportunity to turn the game around and brought on fresh legs; in the form of Tollie Platt and G-Spot Bredenkamp in the front row.
This proved to be a good move and Bastion’s scrum was immediately under pressure as ‘Drom’ took two tightheads.
‘Drom’ launched attack after attack, but Bastion’s defence moved into a higher gear and ‘Drom’ were unable to convert pressure into points.
Bastion’s Fourie then got his only opportunity to kick at goal in the 26th minute of the second half; his kick had just enough distance to go over for the first points – and ultimately the winning score – of the game.
‘Drom’ had no choice but to throw everything at their opponents. A kick downfield by ‘Drom’, after turnover possession from the kick-off, pinned Bastion down in their 22 and their discipline again let them down.
Floyd had a last chance to keep ‘Drom’ in the match, but his effort again went wide of the uprights and the referee blew the whistle for the end of the match.
‘Drom’ captain Duracell Claassens told varsitycup.co.za that regardless of the score, he was proud of his boys, saying: “It was a typical final. Both teams had their opportunities but the ball just bounced right for them.”
Nog Esterhuizen, Bastion’s victorious captain, was a very happy man and told varsitycup.co.za afterwards: “The best team won (on the night).
“We finished the season unbeaten and were definitely the best team at UJ this season. “At the end we played presentation rugby and Skroef’s (Fourie) kicking was excellent to put the pressure on them,” a clearly delighted Esterhuizen added.
Bastion also managed to beat Dromedaris in the second division – by 11-3 – capping a perfect sporting season for Bastion.
This match was also in the balance till near the end, but Bastion were just too good. They were in control for the most part of the match and had a couple of chances to score in the first half.
‘Drom’, somewhat against the run of play, led 3-0 at half-time – but Bastion managed to take the lead in the second half with two penalties and a well worked move led to their winning try in the end.
* Bastion will now represent the UJ in the 2010 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby championships.
By Riaan Bam
