picture: Trevor Martin
The final score was 42-12 after the Bay led 21-9 at the break.
Florida Park is the graveyard of many a visiting team, especially those unprepared for the determination of the home side and the passion of their supporters.
It took all of 14 seconds for False Bay to score their first try when wing Karl Martin collected the kick off, sliced through the defences and off loaded to hooker Roan Dalzell to score. Martin converted. The hosts, stunned but not in disarray, fought back.
Wing Randy Brinkhuis converted two penalties to reduce the Bay’s lead to a single point but the desperation of the home side to contain their guests resulted in their encroaching the off-side line and referee Nathan Barry, after repeated transgressions, visited his pocket for two yellow cards during the first half.
Tygerberg, fiercely competitive throughout the contest, never stood back for their opponents.
Jayden Hanslo used his powerful frame to carry the ball with great effect and was their most valuable player on the day.
Bulky props Eesaa Maker and Edward Makhaudayi were not afraid to carry the ball into the Bay’s defence.
False Bay simply swamped their opponents, creating gaps in defence through sheer numbers.
Fullback Adnaan Osman scored his team’s second try and flyhalf Siya Alem their third before the break.
Martin keep a clean record and Brinkhuis added a third penalty to his tally to give his team their nine-point first half haul.
Indeed it was Brinkhuis who opened the second half scoring when he bagged his fourth penalty and his team’s last points.
It may have been the last time Tygerberg troubled the scoreboard handlers, but it most certainly was not the last time they threatened scoring.
The Bay had extended their lead with a quality try by standout centre, Riaan O’Neil, this time converted by Osman.
A dejected Tygerberg were slowly pushed back to their own territory and then centre Danie Roux scored his team’s fifth try, which was converted by Osman.
The Bay were not finished yet and replacement flank Michael Botha scored his team’s final try with Osman obliging with the conversion.
False Bay next travel to Parow on Saturday to face SLA newcomers NTK. Tygerberg have another tricky encounter ahead as they will be taking on the unpredictable Victorians away from home.
Jon Harris is a member of False Bay RFC.
