Groote Schuur get a hiding

Hamlets run in ten tries as hosts are overwhelmed in a free flowing affair

BERTIE JOHNSON scored two second-half tries as Atlantis-based Hamlets FC handed hosts Groote Schuur a 61-0 beating in their Western Province Under-19 A2 match at Newlands on Saturday.

The visitors touched down 10 times to overwhelm and outclass an opponent in all facets of the game.

Groote Schuur offered little in the way of resistance throughout the 70-minute encounter other than myriad expletives from the players no doubt bought on by the manner in which they surrendered their turf.

Johnson played a starring role for Hamlets but it was ultimately a team effort that got the job done. All 15 starters and second-half replacements got in on the action and dished up a brand of running rugby they can feel proud of.

It was a free-flowing fair with a minimal error count and most of the tries were scored with ease.

Johnson is in his fifth year at Hamlets and can’t remember how many tries he’s scored now.

“I’m just happy to be playing again after being out of action for a long time with injury. It is my second game back and I’m proud of myself for the way I played,” he said. “We are a bunch of guys who have been together from under-14 level and forged a close bond. Our goal is to produce a style of play that centres on doing the basics first before hitting full throttle.”

Tony Adams coaches Hamlets and has guided his charges to 11 wins and one defeat which was to Fairburn College.

“I have to hand it to my boys, they’re a young side with an average age of 17 and week in and week out they do us proud by the way they conduct themselves on and off the field. We as the coaching staff do the encouraging, they do the rest.

“I’m not surprised at the way we put away Groote Schuur. We took the game to them from the outset. This was our goal as we planned to disrupt them by attacking them.

“We never gave them a sniff of a chance.”

Left wing Henry Davids scored a try in either half while fellow wing Ricardo Boois got one.

Dillion Liedeman (centre), Tyrique Marais (scrumhalf), Ruan Davids (fullback), Trevino Knoop (lock) and sub Rewaldo Hendricks were the other try scorers in an impressive performance.

Losing coach Salman Davids said: “We were plagued with quite a few injuries and withdrawals. About seven of our normal line-up were out. That said, full marks to Hamlets for a brilliant performance.

“They played exceptionally well with speed and footwork to match. They outplayed us and we must accept the lessons.

“We have a lot of work to do going into our derbies against Westerford and Camps Bay in the coming weeks.

“However, I am confident that we will bounce back. There is a good spirit in the team. We are a young side that will also be together next year.”

SCHOOLS RESULTS

The Settlers (13) 18, Fairbairn (14) 26 De Kuilen (3) 8, Strand High (28) 50 Milnerton (14) 24, Khayelitsha/Nyanga 0 Tygerberg Club (10) 32, Bergvliet (5) 5 Jan van Riebeeck (7) 17, Parklands (0) 5 Excelsior (3) 8, Bellville South (0) 3 Melkbos Strand 28, Robertson 29 Stellenberg (13) 43, Bellville (6) 13 Brackenfell (17) 25, Parel Vallei (8) 15 Somerset College (24) 36. Westerford (6) 6 Islamia College (5) 13, Curro (12) 27 Bishops 47, Sacs 17

Collegians (0) 7, Newcastle (7) 7

UWC (36) 85, Primrose (12) 22

UCT (6) 29, Brackenfell (13) 25 Tygerberg (18) 25, SK Walmers (12) 19 Villagers (21) 38, Paarl 17) 29 Maties (40) 68, Hamiltons (14) 14

False Bay (19) 29, Union-Milnerton (6) 16 Franschhoek (17) 24, St Georges (11) 24 Belhar (12) 47, All Saints (20) 35 Rangers (20) 32, collegians (15) 29 Hamlets (17) 48, Goodwood (21) 31 Kuils River (29) 53, Vineyards (8) 36 Bellville (12) 26, Helderberg (10) 20 Macassar (14) 38, Busy Bees 17) 39 Hand &Heart 23, Langa 14

Strand 31, Strand United 27

Elsies River 46, Kylemore 5

Blue Jets 49, Blue Stars 18 Kraaifontein 66, Manenberg Rangers 0