The Westgrowth Series provided a brutal reminder this weekend that reputations mean nothing once the whistle blows, and defending champion Diamantveld learned that lesson in the hardest way possible.
The Kimberley powerhouse were beaten by a single point, 41-40 against Trio in Kroonstad on Saturday, an upset that has blown the title race wide open before it has barely begun. For a side that entered the match as overwhelming favorites to retain the crown, the defeat will continue for weeks to come.
Champions fall in Kroonstad stunner
“The match could have gone either way, but unfortunately it didn’t go our way this time,” reflected Vlos Molnar, Diamantveld’s 1st XV coach. The pain of a one-point defeat was evident in his assessment.
The defending champions’ slow start proved costly against opponents who smelled blood from the opening whistle.
“We started the game slowly. But once we started playing well, things got better for us. It’s never easy to play in Kroonstad,” Molnar admitted, with respect for both the stadium and the opponents who exploited their early lethargy.
For trio director of rugby Quintin Geldenhuys, this was the win his side desperately needed after a disappointing defeat to Rustenburg in their previous outing. Beating the defending champions on home soil is the kind of result that transforms a season.
“It was a very important match for us, they are the favorites to defend their title. We did well, the boys did what we practiced,” said Geldenhuys, unable to suppress his pride in a performance that was based on discipline and execution under pressure.
Yet the veteran coach did not get carried away and identified a worrying trend that could prove costly against less opposition.
“I’m a little concerned that we let them back into the game at certain points, but I’m proud of our fighting spirit,” he added, recognizing that championship-caliber teams don’t give momentum to injured opponents.
Witteberg’s misery continues while Sentraal dominates
Elsewhere in the Wesgrow series, Witteberg’s nightmarish start to the campaign continued with a second successive humiliation, this time a 35-5 demolition by Sentraal.
Robert Bosch, Witteberg’s 1st XV coach, delivered a brutally honest autopsy that left no room for excuses.
“We played poorly against a good team,” Bosch said bluntly. The kind of straightforward assessment that suggests serious work lies ahead on the training paddock.
Sentraal’s Rohan Erasmus offered a more optimistic perspective, executing a gameplan to near perfection against the opposition, offering little resistance once the Bloemfontein side found their rhythm.
“We put them under pressure from the first kick-off. We used the points offered to keep up the pressure on the scoreboard in the first half. In the second half we took more chances in attack and were able to win comfortably,” Erasmus explained, outlining a tactical approach that strangled Witteberg’s hopes before they could get a grip.
The Sentral mentor acknowledged that his side had left points behind on the pitch, always a concern against stronger opposition, but could not fault his side’s dominance.
“I am proud of the team’s dominant performance,” Erasmus added, as his side now established themselves as real contenders in a suddenly unpredictable competition.
Jim Fouche makes a statement at the demolition of Nooit
In Welcome, Jim Fouche emphatically announced their arrival at Wesgrow, demolishing Goudveld 35-10 in their series opener. For 1st XV coach Neil Murphy, the score was satisfying, but the manner of winning even more so.
“We’re very happy with the result. Goudveld are always a tough team and they came at us hard, especially in the first 15 minutes. There was a lot of pressure from them early on and it was really nice to see the character of the players in that period,” said Murphy, emphasizing the calm that separated the sides.
That early defensive resilience – absorbing Goudveld’s best punches and refusing to concede – laid the foundation for the comfortable victory that followed.
“Our defense held up well and the boys showed a lot of composure by staying disciplined and holding their own. That gave us a good platform to build on as the match progressed. It was a strong team performance and a good step forward for this group,” explained Murphy, clearly impressed by the mental strength on display.
But Jim Fouche’s coach isn’t making his side known until the finished article, pinpointing areas that need refinement before the competition heats up.
“There are still things we can improve, but the attitude and work rate of the players have been very encouraging,” he added, before putting forward a coaching philosophy that perfectly reflects his approach.
“Great teams aren’t built on big moments. They’re built on the discipline of doing the little things right every day.”
Fichardtpark silence Bethlehem Voortrekker faithful
The weekend’s drama was not limited to the northern areas of the Free State. In Bethlehem, Voortrekker suffered the indignity of defeat on home soil as Fichardtpark’s Lions roared to a 31-21 win, leaving the hosts searching for answers.
Justin Taylor, head of rugby at Bethlehem Voortrekker, did not try to sugarcoat a performance full of self-inflicted wounds.
“We made too many unforced errors and missed too many tackles. Our handling let us down that day. Well done to Fichardtpark. They played hard for the full 70 minutes,” said Taylor, his assessment clinical in its honesty.
Those unforced errors, the dropped balls in promising positions, the missed tackles that gave Fichardtpark momentum, the handling errors that canceled out attacking opportunities, proved the difference between victory and defeat on a day when Voortrekker’s execution simply wasn’t sharp enough.
Fichardtpark, meanwhile, demonstrated the relentless work rate and 70-minute intensity that wins road games.
The series has caused drama on several fronts and the message is clear: anyone can beat anyone on their day. Reputations mean nothing. Execution is everything.
Dustin Wetdewich
novanews.co.za