Hammies to grab full house today

HAMILTONS will be looking to bag a full house of points when they take on Tygerberg in a WP Super League A (SLA) match in Green Point today.

It should be a mere formality for the 2009 champions, as their rivals, while never to be underestimated, do appear shy on class at this level.

Hammies coach Anton Moolman isn’t looking at the visitors’ past record as a gauge of the threat they pose.

“You can’t look at results between the two sides against the same opposition faced this season and read too much into it, as I have, because it’s too confusing and offers no clear indication that we will be in for an easy day at the office. Latest SLA standings

P W D L PD Durb-Bell 11 9 0 2 120 Maties 98 0 1 281 UCT 97 1 1 86 SK-Walmer 12 6 0 6 -33 Hamiltons 85 0 3 145 Vics 95 0 4 -47 Helderberg 11 3 0 8 -198 Belhar 10 2 1 7 -142 Tygerberg 82 0 6 -70 Bellville 11 1 0 10 -142 BP Pts 8 44 7 39 6 36 6 30 7 27 5 25 5 17 5 15 6 14 10 14

“The best thing for me and the players is to focus on what we can and can’t control,” said Moolman.

“Obviously I would like to see the boys play flat out, highcalibre rugby, something we’ve yet to see in the matches we’ve contested so far, but if we do fire on all cylinders, then I’m positive the result will take care of itself.

“Having said that,

it is important to offer our rivals respect. SLA is not for the faint-heated; wins are never guaranteed.”

It will be interesting to see how the hosts’ new halfback combination will fare in the heavy conditions expected.

Regular scrumhalf Dustin Jinka will be servicing a new receiver in the form of Shane Vallender, a player who’s battled to command a place in the starting XV but who is now ready to take his chance.

“I’m excited at the prospect of seeing how our back division will function working off a new platform that Dustin and Shane will create.

“Shane has bided his time in being selected for match day. He has done so by staying fully committed and determined while in practice and showed me he has what it takes to be one of our main playmakers, said Moolman.

“No doubt he’s ready to strike a pose once that opportunity has arrived.

“I have no doubt that he will deliver in service and execution, and that the ball will travel through the hands and create chances out wide for us.”

As for the chances of Tygerberg, they are poor to slim at best, although they do arrive at Hammies off a hard- fought 27- 25 home win over fellow strugglers Bellville.

With the home side targeting this, and next week’s home clash against lowly Belhar, don’t expect the visitors to pull off a second win on the trot, especially away from home.