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Issue 00606 |
March 6 - 12, 2010 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Day of great rugby at FRC
By Mike Beckner and Ian Colquhoun Arusha Rhinos hosted the Dar-es-Salaam Leopards at the Friedkin Recreation Center (FRC) on Saturday February 27 for the second weekend of play in the Tanzania Rugby Union domestic season. Both teams were coming off of wins from their first matches of the year, with the Leopards comfortably beating cross-town rivals Dar University Mambaz and with the Rhinos narrowly defeating the Moshi Kilicats in a closely contested match, two weeks previously. Conditions were perfect for an afternoon of rugby, with the pitch in top-quality condition and conducive for fast-paced action. The weekend’s curtain raiser matches featured u14 and u19 teams competing against each other in a display of quality, full contact, 15-a-side rugby from the youngsters. The Rhino Calves defeated Pallotti Parish 12-0 in u14 action, while Peace House Academy lost to Pallotti Parish 7-17 in a very competitive u19 match. The development program has taken great strides recently and the kids were given just reward for all their hard work. The day’s main match started at a very high tempo, which was dictated primarily by the Rhinos in the opening 20 minutes. However, the Leopards opened the scoring with an early penalty, taking the lead 0-3 in just the second minute. Shortly thereafter, captain for the day and Rhinos scrumhalf Mike Hooke opened the scoring for the home team, exploiting Dar’s fringe defense and crossing for his first try as a Rhino. Hooke duly converted and the Rhinos took the lead 7-3. The set pieces were keenly contested by both teams, with the Leopards having the upper hand in the scrums, ably led by Chris Hatty and Boaz Magege, while the Rhinos dominated the lineouts. Long serving Arusha and Tanzania lock Tom Lithgow scored next, following a convincing series of drives from the Arusha forwards. Hooke converted and the Rhinos led 14-3 in the 19th minute. A brace of tries followed shortly after, both in favor of the Arusha side. Wing Aart Koster and center Elliot Kinsey crossed the line in the 20th and 22nd minutes respectively rounding off the Rhinos’ early period of domination in the match. Hooke converted once and the score stood comfortably in favor of the Rhinos, 26-3. Not to be outdone, the Leopards regrouped and with good tactical kicking forced play into the Arusha half. A yellow-card was given to Arusha’s Elliot Kinsey in the 34th minute for not releasing the tackler (the team had received a warning for this earlier from referee Peter Trevor) and Dar was quick to capitalize, scoring a try in the corner in the 36th minute. The conversion was missed and the score stood at 26-8 going in to halftime. The Rhinos were quick off the mark in the second half, with Mike Hooke crossing the line for his second try of the day in the 45th minute. The conversion was missed but the Rhinos now led 31-8. The next half hour lost a little momentum with several blood injuries that needed attention, and with the Rhinos emptying the reserves bench some of their continuity was lost. Both teams were running out of steam in a very physical contest but the Leopards were able so score a consolation try late in the match to bring the final score to 31-13. Man of the match honors were awarded to Arusha’s Paul Olivier for an impressive return to rugby action in Arusha and he was treated to a helicopter ride after the match sponsored by Helicopter Safaris by Firelight. Dar captain Cam McHale complimented the two teams in a very physical encounter and, “looks forward to hosting the Rhinos in Dar”. The return match is scheduled to be played on March 27th. Rhinos captain Mike Hooke felt that, “aspects of our discipline let us down today but we can take a lot out of a convincing win against a good team from Dar”. Rhinos’ club president and team captain Graham Wood congratulated everyone on a great day at the FRC and, “wishes to thank Rhinos sponsors PetroSol, Holtan, Fitco, Friedkin Recreation Center and Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris, Just Water, Arusha Rhinos Club Patrons and all the supporters who came out to support rugby in Arusha”. The Rhinos next home game is on March 20 against the Moshi Kilicats”
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