Non-stop rugby, netball enthrals
Big support for Community Fun Day action
Rain and a change of venue could not keep enthusiastic supporters away from watching their home sides vie for a share of the R10,000 prize money up for grabs in the 10th annual Gold Rush Fabian Juries Community Fun Day in Makhanda last weekend.
In the netball competition, Fingo Villagers beat Joza Queens by default to win the title.
In the rugby, Currie Park Rebels defeated Cellotape Wildcats 10-7.
For nine years, the popular event has been held at the Oval. But with the Oval under renovation, the Albany Sports Club was the hosting venue this year.
Colourful club tents, sponsors’ stations and family gazebos sprang up around the perimeter from early on Saturday November 25, to cheer their teams on through no fewer than 18 matches, played 10 minutes each way, over 20 minutes.
Currie Park Rebels broke the hearts of Ghost Town Lions supporters, who had to be content with overall third.
Chairperson of the local organising committee (LOC), Barry September, said: “It was a good day and everyone enjoyed the beautiful rugby and netball being played.”
He said the LOC had many challenges leading up to the event, especially with its usual venue offline.
“But we managed to put a beautiful product together at the end of the day.”
The event was hosted by high-flying Makhanda club, the Grahamstown Brumbies. Brumbies play in the Grand Challenge, the top league of EPRU.
“Many of the Brumbies’ faithful supporters were unhappy at the change of venue,” September said.
“It came with a lot of challenges itself and with the event being graded by SAPS for the first time added another dynamic: there were a lot of safety aspects that needed to be in place and we could not afford to host this at a smaller venue [Lavender Valley], but are grateful our loyal supporters came in their numbers.”
For the first time this year, some of the matches were live-streamed.
“That is good for the growth of this event,” September said.
Drinks brand, Score, had come on board this year –“also a plus”, he said.
September said it was good to say teams like Hoogenoeg, Fingo,
Vergenoeg and Tantyi were doing well. “There was healthy competition, which made the matches exciting to watch. It was also good to see a different winner this year: it makes it exciting, that’s what spectators want.”
He said it was disappointing not to see teams such as Vukani taking part, but “hopefully they will be back next year”.
“It’s a pity Fabian Juries could not make it this year: he would have been happy to see the kind of rugby displayed and the support for the event.
“As Brumbies, we want to make him proud: he is our hero and legend.
“Thanks to our sponsors for making this event happen,” he said.
In 2024, Brumbies will compete in the Grand Challenge A, comprising the top 12 clubs in the province. There is a further Grand Challenge B (12 clubs), Grand Challenge C (eight clubs) and Adams Cup (eight clubs) with the eight
lower Regional Leagues. Final standings – rugby
1. Currie Park Rebels
2. Cellotape Wildcats
3. Ghost Town Lions
4. Vergenoeg Eagles
5. Tantyi Rangers
6. Fingo Villagers
7. Hooggenoeg White Bulls
8. Joza Kings
Final Standings – netball
1. Fingo Villagers
2. Joza Queens
3. Ghost Town Lions
4. Tantyi Rangers
5. Vergenoeg Eagles
6. Hooggenoeg White Bulls
7. Currie Park Rebels
8. Cellotape Wildcats