Trying Stars hold off the Brumbies in close clash
Trying Stars overcame a stout-hearted effort from the visiting Brumbies in their much-anticipated Sedru rugby derby at Alexandria’s Wentzel Park on Saturday with a well-earned 29-20 victory.
The Alexandria side had to deal with a minor setback when lock pairing Sheltyn Cannon and Denver Hitzeroth had to withdraw from the game at the last-minute, opening the door for the inclusion of Julius Meyers and Sipho Bloko.
Trying Stars began the fixture with the wind in their favour, before giving away a free kick which led to a try by Brumbies after a quick tap. The conversion was unsuccessful.
Kelvano King ensured that Stars regained much-needed momentum after conceding early points with a beautifully worked try from the restart. Garth Oosthuizen converted to make it 7-5.
Centres Flinn Cannon and Sihle Mendile ensured that the Stars midfield was rock solid on defence and created good running lines.
This enabled the Stars forwards to set up a driving maul which led to a try by Bloko. Oosthuizen made no mistake with the conversion to put them 14-5 ahead.
A late first-half change saw Dicanio King come onto the field to replace Elsandro King.
After leading 14-5 at the break, Stars were awarded a penalty in the second half following a kick-off infringement from Brumbies.
Oosthuizen’s penalty attempt split the posts to increase the lead to 17-5.
Brumbies replied with a beautiful set-piece maul from a lineout, which resulted in a try. The conversion was unsuccessful but they had closed the gap to 17-10.
The windy conditions in the second half had Stars on the backfoot as Brumbies utilised the advantage to to keep their opponents pinned down in their half of the field.
Through their big forwards, Brumbies produced another good driving effort and were able to cross for their third try, reducing Stars’ lead to two points (17-15).
Trying Stars then brought Eric Nogayi, Charles Vena and Schalk Cannon onto the field and Cannon immediately made his presence felt and had a big impact on the remainder of the match.
Luqmaan Mallick ensured that Stars continued to hold a territorial advantage by winning the aerial battle and with the Stars pack receiving a boost after the changes, inter-play from the forwards allowed Flinn Cannon and Mendile to find gaps in the midfield, which set up wing Earl Maarman for a well-worked try.
Though the conversion was missed, Stars extended their lead to 22-15.
Brumbies, however, were quickly able to reduce the deficit after an excellent kick found touch five metres from the Stars tryline.
That set them up for a maul which led to a try, taking the score to 22-20 within just minutes remaining.
With the referee calling “last play” after the restart, the Stars forwards set up Schalk Cannon for a storming 20-metre run before he passed to Mallick, who sent Kelvano King over under the posts for his second try of the match.
Oosthuizen converted with the last kick of the game to make it 29-20 to Trying Stars.