MC BOYS takes derby spoils with first half dominance
A first-half blitz was enough to give the MC Boys a bonus-point 10-22 win over Strand United in their Super League C match at Die Kraal in Strand on Saturday afternoon.
The win gave the MC Boys a guaranteed playoff spot in a most likely home Quarter Final. However, given how close it now is between Macassar and the students from CPUT in 2nd and 3rd place, the four-try bonus point would have been treated like a valuable achievement by the MC Boys. United will have it all to play for in their remaining two fixtures to avoid relegation.
After the heroics of the first stanza, where the Mc Boys blitzed four tries, the next 40 minutes became a frustrating affair, with both sides trying to play but hampered by a plethora of costly mistakes and ill-discipline. Both teams saw a player each red carded for foul play.
Debutant Byron Kleyn had a dream debut as he crossed over for a brace. His first score came from an well organised phase interplay by the forwards and backs, before Kleyn dived over for the first try of the match. Cheslyn Cyster and Dillon Booysen with a 5 pointer each added to the first half tally 3-22.
The second half though, was hardly worthy of the contest that happened in the first 40. While Strand United had control of most of the possession and territory, their inability to convert perhaps is testament to their performance this year.
The gusting efforts by Hooker Brent Morris and attacking flair by Wesley Joseph and Fareez Sebastian deserves praise, underlining their tenacity and Prowers in a team that just could not garnish momentum this season. Morris was exceptional and was aided by Sebastain, who scored for the home side.
One positive take home for macassar is the efforts of Lynson Andries who put in a stellar performance and was solid in defense making 8 tackles, 5 carriers and gaining 38 metres. Andries also had a hand in Kleyns opening try.
But as much as the game was almost settled in the first half-hour, there will be plenty of work-ons for Macassar this week, and there were plenty of missed opportunities as well.
It was nowhere near the MC Boys’s best performance, but coach Chris Langeveld will be happy with another win that keeps them moving upward as the playoffs approach.
Strand United will have to find some confidence and self believe in their remaining fixtures. Victory should be non-negotiable for newly appointed Taariq van der Ross and his coaching corps.
Point Scorers
Macassar
Tries: Byron Kleyn (2), Dillon Booysen, Cheslyn Cyster
Conversion: Bradley Daniels
Strand
Tries: Fareez Sebastian
Conversion: Wesley Joseph
Penalty: Wesley Joseph
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/za/distrikspos/sport/mc-boys-are-tops-20220816-2