Winning start fires up BCM
Women’s Sevens team take down NMB Metro
The Buffalo City Metro women Sevens rugby team managed to outplay Nelson Mandela Bay Metro 14-5 during their opening Steve Vukile Tshwete Games encounter at Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday.
BCM coach Zolisa Naka said she was impressed with the way the girls played, and the win was a morale-booster as they had to prepare for more SVT games. She said she was hoping to reach the final that would be played on Friday at the same venue.
“Our girls showed dominance and dedication and they were able to overcome their fears and we won,” she said.
Naka said that BCM only managed to have a team camp on Tuesday, but that was not enough to destabilise them on the field against NMB.
“We are one of those teams that did not get enough time to practice, and to see the team working like a unit is encouraging because the players only finished writing their exams yesterday. “So we only started camping on Tuesday. We didn’t have a training session, but I’m happy with the way we manage to find each on the day.
“Sevens rugby is about speed and technique, and if you are a fast thinker, anything is possible, and I think that was what helped today. “Our players were able to think fast. Even though they are unfit, they have the techinique and mental strength needed for this tournament,” said Naka.
She said the positive result was a good start to their campaign, especially as the hosts.
“This is good for us because I was a bit nervous because we could not practice as a team before the games.
“So now I have that hope that we will be able to hold our ground during the three days and from now on because we are looking to develop these players. “Because this is not only about winning but to develop players as well.”
She added: “We need these young players to be able to play for Border Rugby teams.
“And hopefully go further in their rugby careers, and what I like about this Sevens format is that there’s less players, and even shy players can be recognised in the 7s format,” said Naka.
In the men’s side, Sarah Baartman Municipality men’s Sevens coach Richard Sphere was over the moon after his team beat the Chris Hani District Municipality 15-7 during the opening game at BCM Stadium.
“My players are staying in different towns like Humansdorp, Graaff Reinet, for instance, and they’ve never played together. So this was our first game today and we played according to the game plan that we had.
“Which was to keep the ball in hand, because this is not football but rugby.
“I saw that they wanted to overpower us, hence decided to slow down the game, and it worked on our advantage.
“And we are going to be looking to dominate now, because the boys are motivated now and they have that fire we need to win this,” said Sphere.
So now I have that hope that we will be able to hold our ground during the three days