Motorvaps False Bay RFC relinquished home ground advantage in the clash against Durbanville-Bellville (Durbell) at Constantia, eventually falling 6-33 to the visitors after trailing 6-10 at the break.

It was the Bay’s first league match of Super League A 2024, and by the time the main encounter commenced, the Constantia club had registered wins in two of the three build-up matches. Of these, the Motorvaps False Bay’s under-20 victory was particularly noteworthy, not only for the sparkling rugby produced by the home juniors in their 31-6 win, but the fact that the visitors traditionally have a strong junior section and had the edge over their hosts in previous encounters.

False Bay’s Second XV held on to their narrow 14-10 lead to rebuff Durbell attacks in the closing moments of their contest.

SLA2024 promises to be a closely contested competition this season, judging on early results, and with the Bay firmly in their rebuilding phase since the retirement of Johnno van der Walt, they would be well-cautioned not to take any fixtures as a given.

With more than a smattering of last season’s under-20 players deservedly making the step up to the senior ranks, the Bay may have been light in experience, but lacked nothing in endeavour and determination against Durbell.

If anything, it was perhaps the impetuosity of youth which cost them in the first hour of the contest, their lack of patience on the ball and in execution ultimately placing undue scoreboard pressure on themselves, and frustration of fluffed lines leading to error. In the analysis, missed chances allowed Durbell the opportunity to fight back and as the match entered the final stages, insert more than a fair share of daylight between the scores, almost flattering the visitors in terms of scoreboard dominance.

A half time lead of four points lends credence to this assessment, a missed penalty kick or two easily negating that advantage. Rushing a pass, or passing the fifty-fifty ball further frustrated their play and a few games later in the season, these young warriors may well have worked these tendencies out of their system and introduced a more considered approach to their game. For the moment it was their burden to carry and for an hour of an enjoyable contest, the Bay more than possible victors. If there was perhaps a turning point in the match, it was when former darling of False Bay, Danie Roux, now plying his trade for the boys from the north, dislodged the ball from the grasp of opposing wing Daniel Heyns on his way over the line. The tenacious, give-it-all-he’s-got Heyns was about to put his team into the lead when Roux’s ball-and-all tackle negated the score.

False Bay had been threatening the lines of their guests for much of the second half, their self-belief growing exponentially, boosted by the insertion off the bench of players accustomed to starting matches but held back for varying reasons. These included flyhalf Ewan Adams, scrumhalf Niyaaz Johnson, centre Muji van ser Hoven and new recruit, hooker Jacques Goosen.

While the visitors after 80 minutes were deserved winners, the performance of the Bay was positive, albeit disappointing to the local support who had turned out in numbers, enjoying a meal at the popular restaurant operating in the clubhouse. In the first half locks Ettienne Oosthuizen, Busanda Mabena and flank Lukhanya Normzanga worked tirelessly. Hooker Matt James, last year packing down for the club’s successful Reserve League power team, the FIFOs, acquitted himself well, where his lineout accuracy was a feature of his performance.

Durbell’s dominance emanated from the power of the scrumming. Starting props Christo Greyling and Christiaan Lambrecht, while not the epitome of well-proportioned modern pillars of the scrum, were devasting, placing the Bay on the backfoot from this set phase. Undoubtedly, their king ping was flyhalf Darren Ruiters who marshalled his troops calmly and with aplomb.

For False Bay, fullback Grant Hermanus converted two penalties. Roux, Vince van Dyk, Jarryd Osbourne and Roux gave the visitors their bonus point four tries.

False Bay host Helderberg at Constantia on Saturday in the second of their league fixtures for the season. First games kick off at 1.25pm with the main match commencing at 4pm.

Jon Harris is a member of False Bay RFC.

Darren Jafta muscles through heavy tackles.

Grant Hermanus looks to find space as he comes under flying tackle.