Reho Falcon went to the top of the MTC Rugby Premier League log after beating Western Suburbs 43-26 in an entertaining match at Suburbs Park on Saturday. Falcons ran in six tries, with flyhalf Jacky Bok and centre Attie du Plessis each scoring a brace, while fullback Howard Titus added 13 points with the boot.
Suburbs were still in with a shout as they trailed 21-18 shortly after halftime, but Falcons turned on the style with some attacking rugby which saw them running out comfortable victors.
The result means that Suburbs are now definitely out of the running for a semifinal spot, leaving Reho Falcons, Wanderers, Mariental and Rehoboth as the four teams who will contest the semifinals.
Who will face who in the semifinals, will however only be determined next weekend when the final round of group matches will be completed.
Reho Falcon took the lead after only seen minutes when flyhalf Jacky Bock cut through Suburbs’ backline to score close to the posts, with fullback Howard Titus adding the conversion.
Suburns replied through a drop goal by Godwin Walters, but Falcons went further ahead when flanker Deon Pieters crashed over for a try after a storming run, with Titus once again converting.
Suburbs fullback Justin Nel replied with a penalty, but Falcons increased their lead when Bock went over for his second try after a storming run by eighthman Shaun van Rooi.
Just before halftime Suburbs wing Sergio de la Harpe went over for a try in the corner and when eighthman Victor Rodrigues burst over from a lineout two minutes after the break, Suburbs were right back in the game.
That was however the closest they got as Falcons stepped up the tempo. Attie du Plessis went over for his first try after a great break by flanker Deon Pieters and then scored an even more spectacular second try when he rounded off a counter attack that he had started in his own 25m line.
Melrick Africa added their sixth try and with Howard Titus secure with his goal kicking, Falcons raced into a 40-21 lead.
Suburbs got a late consolation try through centre Darryl de la Harpe while Titus added another penalty to make the final score 43-26.
Falcons coach Hakkies Louw was happy about the outcome, saying that they were now coming good after a difficult season.
“It was a great match for us. We made some mistakes but at the end we came out proud. For Suburbs it was a bit disappointing, but it’s a game and that’s how it goes.”
“We had some disappointments this season and we had to work hard to overcome them. But now we are on top of the log and who we will play in the semis will all depend on the outcome of next weekend’s match between Mariental and Wanderers,” he said.