Bay start campaign with double win

THE Richards Bay Rugby Club got their 2014 season off to a dream start when both the first and second teams beat Newcastle in Richards Bay on Saturday in pre-season warm-up clashes.

The second team kicked the action off with a 31-12 victory over the visitors, and in doing so impressed the coaching staff and spectators.

The home side came out firing with a strong side, which posed huge forwards and a fast, slick backline.

The game proved very physical, with both sides asking questions.

But it was Juandre du Toit who had his kicking boot on, converting three penalties early in the game.

The visitors replied with an unconverted try.

With 15 minutes to go to half-time, the Bay squad scored twice through Christopher Mhlongo and Frank Hughes, with only one try being converted and the scoreboard reading 21-5 at the turnover.

The second half action heated up, with tries from Cassie Naude and Du Toit, which took the home sides lead to 31-5.

But Newcastle team barged over for a consolation try, which was converted to end the game at 31-12.

Main game

The main game followed with the home side heading into the season with new coach Graham Beukes and assistant coach Charl White at the helm.

They couldn’t have hoped for a better start.

Richards Bay dominated the first half, with Erick Kirsten crossing the whitewash twice, with both tries converted.

Newcastle replied with a penalty conversion to take the teams into the shed at half time with the score at 10-3.

In the second half the Bay boys finally gelled to put Newcastle firmly on the back foot by running in four tries.

JP Rossouw, José Rodrigues and Jimmy Enslin (2) dotted down for the local side.

Rossouw popped over all four conversions to hand the side a 38-3 lead.

Again Newcastle had the last say when crashing over for an unconverted try to end the game at 38-8.

Men of the Match were – first team: Erick Kirsten (forwards) and José Rodriques (backline); second team: Tiaan Zandbergh (forwards) and Frank Hughes (backline).