False Bay triumph in edge-of-seat encounter

In a close encounter at the Philip Herbstein Fields in Constantia on Saturday, Motorvaps False Bay hung on to exit the field as 34-30 victors over the University of Western Cape. The Bay led 22-20 at the break.

The prevailing result of the day is that of the main event, and False Bay had checked the win box alongside their under-20As, Thirds and Second XVs. Confidence was high on the sidelines that it would be much the same, False Bay fielding a strong line-up. There was, however, the obstacle of Udubz to overcome and the students were not interested in returning home with nothing to show.

Coached by former Springbok Sevens guru, Paul Treu, the visitors were never going to be a pushover and as the match progressed, they stayed within striking distance of victory.

The Bay were the first to score, a well-set up try by centre Muji van der Hoven, which was converted by Mikyle Jaftha. They maintained the pressure on their guests, without points to show for their efforts, losing ground as the students pushed them back. Fullback Aaron Swartz reduced Mortovaps False Bay’s lead to just one with a brace of penalty conversions.

UWC, fresh from the Varsity Shield are a well-coached outfit. Big, bulky and physical, they run straight off set pieces, at first moving the ball behind a primary line of attackers and then releasing strong runners to cross the advantage line and link up with that primary line from there. The Bay defensive line held steadfast.

Despite some pressure in the scrums, where Udubz held the upper hand in the opening quarter, the Bay moved the ball around. Lock Andrew Goode was a safe source of lineout possession, with an almost flawless record. By contrast UWC’s accuracy was wayward, at times all too easily turning possession over to their opponents, who gratefully accepted the turnover, converting to pressure or simply an opportunity to escape from their own half.

Scrumhalf Dylon Frylinck increased his team’s lead with his trademark tap and go from a penalty, five meters from the line. Jaftha’s conversion restored his team’s eight-point lead.

False Bay have shown vulnerability from deep throughout their match programme this season.  In the first instance, Udubz flyer Ethan Rogers ran straight and true to dissect a space with a three-man overlap but the decision was sound, his pace ensuring a 20-metre clear run before handing the ball to scrumhalf Calib Philander to score between the uprights. Swartz made it a one-point contest.

The ease of the score was a little disconcerting but False Bay dusted themselves off and proceeded to return to the Udubz quarter, an attack started from their own half and ignited by an electrifying change of direction by hooker Jacques Goosen, which ultimately lead to Van der Hoven’s second try after sustained pressure on attack by the home side.

The try restored Motorvaps False Bay’s nine-point lead, but just before the break, Swartz sliced through the defense to score under the poles at the end of a fifty-metre break. He converted to make it a two-point game at half time.

The second half had its fair share of drama and excitement.

Bay coach Ashley Wells had introduced his big guns early in the half.

Prop Tahriq Allen delivered an immediate impact in the scrum, earning his team a penalty for a scrum infringement by Udubz.

Goosen crashed over from the ensuing lineout, a tenuous seven-point lead seemingly enough as the Constantia lads immediately attacked and took up residence in the UWC quarter.

The visitors were allowed to escape their red zone as False Bay, by now the dominant scrum, were penalised for scrum infringements. There is no doubt that the scrum is a quagmire of rules and some skullduggery, but the simple premise of dominance is normally a primary consideration.

The penalties allowed the visitors to work themselves to just within the Bay half where flank Bronlee Mouries streaked through untouched for his 40-metre touchdown.

The scores were tied, and the Bay found themselves to down to 14 men when Michael Hofmeyr was stretchered off after a five-minute injury break, accompanied by a red card for a dangerous tackle.

Fourteen against 15 men, with a two-point lead, the Bay were certainly under the cosh. But they simply did not give up and quite aptly, winger Daniel Hayes crashed over in the corner, Jaftha’s conversion from the touchline extending the score to 34-27.

More difficulty was to come for the hosts as Goosen, a Firestarter for his team, was banished to the naughty-box for apparent foul play. The home side had their backs to the wall. Thirteen men facing 15 and their opponents were inspired, the scent of victory filling their nostrils. The students launched themselves at their opponents and a scintillating break up the right flank by Keith Syster had the Bay scrambling.

Only desperate, determined defence kept his team from crossing the line, but they kept on coming. Thirteen-man False Bay held the nerve, keeping their line intact, but drawing the ire of the referee, another five-metre penalty awarded to Udubz appeared to be the death knell for the home side.

Yet they stood resolute and turned the ball over and the referee played his final part in an entertaining, at times high-quality contest.

Motorvaps False Bay bagged a full house of five league points, Udubz two for their four tries and for losing within seven points.

This Saturday Motorvaps False Bay travel to Coetzenberg where they take on Maties, finalists in this year’s Varsity Cup.