GRAAFF-REINET NEWS – Union’s 1st XI travelled to Grahamstown over the weekend to compete against Cambridge in the Graeme College Rugby Day.
Cambridge scored an early try against the run of play after a poor kick chase from Union.
The Union boys were able to hit back right away with a try of their own by Matteo Mahona. He scored after a superbly-executed set piece move by the backline, which saw Breyton Damons cutting the opposition defence.
Breyton ran fifty meters before being dragged down one meter short of the try-line and passed the ball to Matteo, who ran the perfect support line like all open-side flanks should. Soon after this try, Union again pulled off a set piece move to allow Breyton to walk over, untouched, in the corner. Matt Harpur converted both tries and a penalty to give Union a 17-7 lead at the break.
Cambridge did all the attacking in the second half as Union struggled to hold onto possession. The Union boys needed to show huge character on defence. Some gutsy tackling and an immense work rate allowed them to withstand wave after wave of Cambridge offense. Cambridge did eventually cross over for a converted try, but it was too little too late, with Union emerging 17-14 victors.
The forward of the match was Matthew Broeksma, who again led from the front. His effort from the base of the scrum was extraordinary and, as always, he provided a massive presence on defence.
The backline player of the match was Ronan Retief who was colossal in stopping opposition momentum. He made arguably the biggest hit of the day and a few more which had the crowd clenching their teeth at the impact.
The win will certainly boost the Union boys’ confidence ahead of two tough fixtures on Thursday and Saturday at the Union High Rugby and Hockey Festival.
In the other two matches against Cambridge at Graeme Day, Union’s U.14 team lost 48 - 0, and the U.16 team won 19 - 17.
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