Hammies seek five points to stay on course for place in Community Cup

IT should be another easy day at the office for Hamiltons when they visit Belhar in a Western Province Super League A clash today.

A 21-try haul from two previous fixtures sees 2009 champions Hammies well placed in third on the 10team log.

A full-house points haul appears to be a foregone conclusion for the Green Point-based team. Belhar have won just two of 11 matches played, and are second bottom on the log.

“We won’t arrive thinking we have the five points in the bag – that would be courting disaster,” said Hammies coach Anton Moolman.

“One has to respect any rival in this league. But I must say the players have played great rugby since the loss to our fierce derby rivals SK Walmer in the second round.

“We have scored plenty of tries and the aim is to continue that.”

Five points would see Hammies leapfrog Maties into second, just two points behind Durbanville/Bellville, their next opponents.

“It is crucial we score the bonuspoint win in order to put pressure on Durb/Bell,” Moolman said.

“It would mean we are back in the hunt to challenge for league honours and a place in the Community Cup (formerly known as the national club rugby championships).”

With the two Varsity Cup sides Maties and UCT no longer able to play in the Community Cup, it seems a straight shootout between Hammies and Durbanville/Bellville.

“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to end the SLA either as champions or the leading open club, and we’re on the right track,” said Moolman. “But to achieve our goal we have to keep on winning.”

As for the hopes of Belhar, there is not much of a chance if they continue to play the way they have been doing.

There have been occasional signs of promise, but having lost eight games from 11, there is little hope of an upset for the home side. Today’s fixtures Super League A: Belhar v Hamiltons Super League B: Kuils River v Hamlets; Goodwood v NNC; Brackenfell v Villager