Internal League kicks off with a splash
The Steinhoff UCT Koshuis League got underway on Wednesday night in typically wet and windy conditions on the Green Mile.
Supporters who braved the weather were treated to some fine displays of rugby as 2008 runners-up, the Nadoes and second runners-up, the Barbarians, played back-to-back fixtures.
The Barbarians played the first match of the 2009 season against Smuts House. The game was hard-fought as, playing into the strong UCT wind, the ‘Baa-Baas’ could manage only a 3-3 score line at half-time.
Many pundits expected the ‘Baa-Baas’ to come out firing for the second half with the wind at their backs and walk over a the tenacious Smuts outfit and for a while this was the case.
The ‘Baa-Baas’ piled on the pressure and eventually lock Mike Koen crossed the whitewash with a pick up from the base of the ruck which was duly converted by flyhalf Luke Tomlinson.
After that the tension eased considerably in the ‘Baa-Baas’ camp and they were guilty of being complacent as the Smuts backline linked well together to try and bring their team back into the game.
The final score was 10-3 and though supporters were treated to a close game, they will feel a bit let down by the conditions which never allowed a potent ‘Baa-Baas’ backline to really get going.
The Nadoes were up next against a determined Ikhaya House side aiming to once and for all lose the title of ‘whipping boys’ in 2009.
At the start of the game it looked like that might be the case as the boys in blue held their own against a disciplined Nadoes side.
Ikhaya could have scored on occasion in the first half had it not been for ill discipline or sloppy hands letting them down. Instead the Nadoes managed to capitalise on some mistakes and score a couple of break-away tries to leave the score 14-0 at half-time.
In the second half, the Ikhaya boys were either spent or had lost the will to fight as they let the Nadoes score some soft tries to leave the final score 34-0. Though the score line reflects a comprehensive victory, there will be many who will feel heartened by this scrappy Nadoes performance.
The night ended up in true UCT style with underdog residence side, the Marquad Lions battling to a win against the Panthers 15-12.
The Panthers have long been counted as one of the top sides in this competition and will surely be the most shocked by this result excepting, possibly, the Lions themselves. The Marquad Lions showed that they have a side to be feared this year with some big forwards and quick backs though, if truth be told, they were given a helping hand by the Panthers disintegration into ‘beach rugby’.
Despite having a lot of possession, the Panthers tended to follow the ball around in a gaggle rather than play structured rugby which cost them from turnovers and in try-scoring opportunities.
They were their own worst enemy on the night but, as we have seen before and as was the case in the ‘Baa-Baas’ and Nadoes games, the top sides tend to take a few games to find their rhythm.
We will have to wait until next week to see if 2008 champions, the Cobras, will have the same problem, but this year’s league looks set to be a closely-contested affair.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell
and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants
to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please
share. Cheers!
I blog frequently and I really thank youfor your content. This article has truly peaked my interest.I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking fornew details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to
see a great blog like this one nowadays.
I have read so many articles or reviews regarding the bloggerlovers but this post is really a fastidious piece of writing, keep it up.
Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, appreciate it. “We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip little by little at a truth we find bitter.” by Denis Diderot.
Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve found out so far. However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the source?
Hi to every one, for the reason that I am really keen of reading this web site’s post to be updated daily.
It consists of fastidious information.
That is very fascinating, You are an overly professional blogger.I have joined your rss feed and look aheadto looking for extra of your excellent post.Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
I do consider all of the concepts you have offered to your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for newbies. May you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it,
you will be a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your
blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you
continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
Wow, superb blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for?you made blogging look easy. The full look of your site is wonderful,let alone the content material!
Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return once again since
I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest
way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.
Very good post. I will be dealing with someof these issues as well..
Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.