KRC crestfallen as Sishen clinch Super League title at the death
A TRY in the dying minutes of the Kimberley Super League final at Vleissentraal Park on Saturday sent the Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) to a heartbreaking defeat by a single point to the visiting Sishen Rugby Club.
Virtually from the kick-off the match was a nail-biter, and testimony to this fact is that by half-time the score was tied at 3-3. It must be said that Sishen made the most of their opportunities and capitalised on the hosts’ mistakes to clinch the title with a narrow 10-9 victory, with all KRC’s points coming from Josh Malherbe penalties.
The final was tense, with both teams obviously aware of the magnitude of the game; and in the tight tussle both teams’ defence was tested to the full – testimony to this fact is that only one try was scored in the match, and that in the last four minutes of play. The try broke the Kimberley team’s heart as KRC had been leading 9-3 for most of the second half.
This is the third time in a row, in as many years that KRC have come unstuck and failed to clear the last hurdle.
KRC’s line-outs proved their undoing even though they had been working on their technique in the lead-up to the final.
A disappointed KRC assistant coach, Jaco Barendse told the DFA that they simply failed to execute on the day. “We gave away too much ball and when we did have possession the opposition managed to disrupt our tactics,” he said.
“Our line-outs once again let us down as well (and) we missed far too many crucial tactical kicks. However, the players did give their all, but on the day the victory eluded us.”
Although KRC were expected to win in front of their home supporters, especially after cruising through the competition undefeated, the fact that they made far too many errors means that they have to wait another year to challenge for the title.
Team manager Victor Hughes told the DFA that he believes the team is big enough to pick themselves up after this disappointment. “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life the secret is learning how to lose.
“Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick (yourself) up after a crushing or narrow defeat and go on to win again, you are going to be champion someday,” he said.
Hughes also lamented the errors that cost KRC the title. “After a good season winning all 11 of our matches it all came down to the final.
“There were far too many errors with, once again, the line-out problem and losing the ball in contact far too many times.
“We hope to have a good season next year again as we have a lot of youngsters coming through as well as new players at the club,” Hughes added, before acknowledging the team’s supporters, fans and backers.
“As team manager of the club I just want to say thank you to all our sponsors, the management and the public that supported us through the year, and we hope to see them all next year again.”