Motorvaps False Bay overcame a lacklustre first half to regroup and exit the Phillip Herbstein Fields as 36-12 victors over Elto Kuils River on Saturday.
The teams broke for oranges with the hosts 17-12 in the lead.
For the second week in a row, the build-up to the main game belonged to the Bay. Their high-flying under-20 A team swamped the hapless opponents in an 86-0 route, setting up a showdown against rivals and also-unbeaten, Hamilton in a fortnight.
False Bay has developed a programme in conjunction with Constantia Primary School, literally 500m up the drag form their grounds, and it was a proud moment for a few of the school’s players to be involved as ball boys on the day.
The opening score went to the visitors, a try by left wing Lethabilie Mqwadleka, a muscular, athletically built flyer who kept the Bay defences on their toes for the opening half hour. The try went unconverted and the narrow lead of the visitors was reduced to two when the Bay fullback converted a penalty. That lead was soon extended to 10 when “Kuila” number eighth Siyabonga Matanda crossed the Bay line, fullback Enrico Boonzaaier goaling the kick.
It turned out to be the last time the visitors engaged with the scoreboard handlers, but certainly not the last time they had the hearts of the ample local support fluttering.
Motorvaps False Bay were still misfiring, but had begun to settle into a better rhythm, the senior players on the pitch doing as expected, especially calming nerves and focusing attack. One such player, scrumhalf Niyaaz Johnson scored a try, which Hermanus converted. Young flyhalf Mikyle Jaftha, now with a few caps in his cabinet, is beginning to settle down, his confidence growing exponentially, his all-round play showing it. He crossed for his team’s second try, again converted by Hermanus. This score was the last time in the half the scoreboard changed.
With a massive bench in reserve, some diehard optimists were doing their best to pacify the nervous pessimists in the crowd at the break. Of course, it was sheer bravado on the behalf of the former, Elto Kuils River were far from capitulating, simply never giving up and it was only resolute second-half defence which kept the 12 points for the visitors unchanged in the second 40 minutes.
By now the bench were introduced, the first half jitters were navigated and obvious ascendancy was on display. If one may be allowed some negativity, this was replaced by some selfish play as the hosts spent most of the half in the Kuils River half, a rupturing dam wall expected by most. The wall stood firm and the pressure built on the home side. They have enjoyed a very positive SLA2024 campaign to date but the shortage of bonus points through four-try scores weighs heavily on their table and this white-line fever by the ball carrier could continue this trend.
Already on the pitch at this stage was Andrew Good, “on-loan” from the False Bay under-20s, due recognition for his outstanding performances to date. This elevation is rare yet not unique, but certainly as a tight forward, young Good shows great promise. Much to the delight of the Bay supporters, wing Daniel Hayes and centre Muji van der Hoven crossed the line for Motorvaps False Bay, one of which was converted by Jaftha, gave the final tally of 36-12.
Motorvaps False Bay have a bye this weekend and then host old rivals, Hamilton, on Saturday 8 June at Constantia.
