The Ikey Tigers are not good for my stress levels.
Watching games on the Greenmile is an awesome way to spend a Saturday afternoon. It's one of the most beautiful places to a catch a bit of rugga, with the steps up to Jameson Hall framed by mountainous Cape Town splendour. Watching the Ikeys' beautiful running game and cheering on their victory is also pretty sweet.
The WP Super A League is tough to say the least; UCT hasn't claimed a title since 1974. But coming off a second Maties victory, the team was excited for their big clash with Hamiltons. For those not in the know, Hamiltons, aka Hammies, was founded in 1875 and is recognized as being the oldest rugby club in South Africa. Playing them at our own historic Groote Schuur Fields is always a big deal. And since Hammies sat 2nd to UCT's 4th on the log before Saturday's clash, winning was a necessity for both sides.
With Nick Fenton-Wells out on WP duty, the team led by Don Armand was also missing some valuable players through injury like Tiger Bax and Pete 'Big Red' Olivier. The experienced Hammies side dominated the first half and led 0-15 after the first 40min. Ikeys hit back in the second with tries from Richard Stewart (he of the winning Maties one!) and skipper Don Armand. Penalties from both sides kept the scores tight and then Hamiltons up-ed the pressure with a try of their own, and seemingly the game in the bag. A perfect moment for some Brache magic; the inside centre chipped past the Hammies defence for an injury time try with the conversion to win slotted over by flyhalf Nick Holton.
Final Score UCT 25-23 Hamiltons.
Last night Hammies visited Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium and this time the scrape win was theirs: Hamiltons 17-16 Maties. The Maties loss leaves the competition open for any of Hammies, Maties or Ikeys to claim the league title. UCT has 5 games still to play, whilst the Maties and Hammies both have only 2 fixtures left.
The Ikey Tigers host False Bay (always a formidable opponent) on the Greenmile at 16h00. See you there!!
The WP Super League log:
(As at Thursday 25, August - played, won, points)
1. Maties 16, 12, 60
2. Hamiltons 16, 10, 56
3. UCT 13, 10, 46
4. SK Walmers 15, 9, 44
5. Durbanville-Bellville 14, 8, 43
6. False Bay 13, 7, 34
7. Victorians 14, 5, 33
8. Villager 13, 5, 22
9. Belhar 14, 3, 17
10. Helderberg 14, 0, 5
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