Duikers run riot

 

October 03, 2008

Zululand OBSERVER

	Duikers run riot Mike Harrison AS expected the KZN Duikers, packed full of Wildebeest and Sharks players not doing duty over the weekend, proved too strong for the KZN country districts side in their end-of-season friendly at Mick Kelly Park on Saturday. Running in seven tries to one, they won 45-10 in a match that did little to set the stadium alight. The country districts team, who were full of running in the first half, must have had their more fancied opponents a little worried after the first 40 minutes. With only four points separating the teams going into the change-rooms, they were competing well and looked every bit as good as their opponents. But the Duikers moved up a gear in the second half with their backs running good angles and handling the wet ball well. It was fullback Helmar Buitendag who got under the poles for the opening try. Carl Bezuidenhout, Collegians' flyhalf who has an educated boot, converted (7-0). The country districts came back strongly, first with a penalty to flyhalf Riaan Nigrini and then a superb try to Frans Laatz who gathered at pace after a high up and under put the Duikers under pressure. He scored under the poles, allowing Nigrini an easy conversion. The country team, now gaining confidence, were three points ahead. Change of gear But the Duikers grabbed the lead just before half time with their second try. This time it was their big number eight Jacques Potgieter who took the final pass from Danie Dames, who made mince-meat of the opposition, for the softest of tries. With Bezuidenhout converting, the visitors went into the break with a jittery four-point lead (14-10). But I'm afraid that's where the country districts' joy in this match came to a sudden end as the visitors took over in typical Duikers style to run away with the match. With their forwards controlling the battle up front, the Duikers ran the ball at lib and, with further tries to flanker Nicolai Blignaut, Marco Kotze, Dumi Matyeshana (who got over twice with two superb runs) and Craig Burden, they were convincing winners. Bezuidenhout added three more conversions to complete a good day for the Duikers. The match draws the curtain on the 2008 season which has been a great success for the Empangeni Rugby Club. It now remains for all of us to throw our weight and support behind the Sharks, helping them in their efforts to secure the 2008 Currie Cup for the province.