Dromedaris book final place

The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Dromedaris Men’s Residence will play in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final, after winning their semifinal match against the Barbarians – from NMMU – 35-16 on Monday evening.

Both teams played a tactical match by kicking the ball from within their own territory and converting that hard-earned territory into points at Johannesburg’s West Sports Ground.

The Barbarians, however, forgot about this gameplan in the second half by not kicking the ball out or taking the three points on offer when they got a penalty.

‘Drom’s scrum was under huge pressure for the duration of the match, but excellent work by the loose forwards and scrumhalf, Matilda Jacobsz, secured them enough possession to score points in an exciting second half.

‘Drom’s Hamlet Janse van Rensburg kicked a penalty in the third minute of the match to give them an early lead.

The hosts quickly attacked again and when a Janse van Rensburg drop-goal passed wide of the upright it was clear that the home team was eager to turn territory into points. This was also the case for the ‘Baa-baas’ as their flyhalf, Lindsey Weyer, answered by kicking two penalties.

Dromedaris strongman, G-Spot Bredenkamp, scored his side’s first try of the match in the 21st minute after the forwards set up some phases by picking up and driving forward. Van Rensburg could not convert the try and ‘Drom’ led 8-6.

But the Barbarians regained the lead in the 28th minute with another Weyer penalty. Lock Chris Dicks scored the Barbarians’ only try just before half-time after they put their hosts under huge pressure. Weyer converted the try and the ‘Baa-baas’ led 16-8 going into half-time.

‘Drom’ started the second half well when Jaws Lombaard scored a long-distance try under the posts in the ninth minute. Van Rensburg converted for ‘Drom’ to trail by one point only. This was enough motivation for them to just keep on going. Three minutes later, ‘Drom’ again took the lead with a huge Van Rensburg drop-goal.

Unfortunately for the Barbarians it was all downhill from there…

Van Rensburg succeeded with a long-range penalty before Rakoon Wheeler and Matilda Jacobsz dived over the whitewash for tries.

Both tries came from excellent turnovers by the loose forwards. Van Rensburg converted both and was deservedly named Man of the Match with another great performance with his trusty left boot.

The Men from Dromedaris will now face Huis Armentum of Shimlas in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final. Armentum, earlier, recorded a comprehensive 45-26 win over Maroela (Tuks).

The Koshuisrugby Final will be played as curtain-raiser for the 2009 Varsity Cup Final between Maties and Pukke at Stellenbosch’s Danie Craven Stadium on Monday, March 30. The match will be televised live on SuperSport.

The scorers:

For Dromedaris:
Tries: G-Spot Bredenkamp, Jaws Lombaard, Rakoon Wheeler, Matilda Jacobsz
Cons: Hamlet Janse van Rensburg 3
Pens: Janse van Rensburg 2
DG: Janse van Rensburg

For Barbarians:
Tries: Chris Dicks
Con: Lindsey Weyer
Pens: Weyer 3

By Riaan Bam