Boland underdogs secure Farmers’ Derby victory against Oakdale
The underdogs Boland Landbou defeated the hosts, Oakdale Landbou, 34-27 in Saturday’s Farmers Derby at Riverdal.
In defence of the home team, they were without five stars who were on duty for the SA u18 and SA u18A teams in the International Series.
When they met in 2024, Oakdale won 21-13 away from home. The Paarl visitors, though, truly deserved the cheers they received from their supporters when the fulltime whistle blew.
Boland Landbou’s flyhalf and captain, Pieter Bergh, playing without his halfback partner, SA u18 scrumhalf Jayden Brits, delivered an outstanding performance. In addition to his quick distribution of the ball, he knocked over three conversions and a cheeky drop goal to help his team to the win.
It was, however, Jadon Ocks, on the wing who was named the “King of the Match“. In a spectacular game, he went over for a try and did yeoman work on defence, keeping Boland Landbou’s defence secure on the left wing while also competing effectively as an extra flank at the touchline breakdowns.
Replacing five outstanding players proved to be a mountain too high for Oakdale to climb, but they gave it a good shot. While their set-piece was mostly solid, it lacked the domination that it had exhibited all season.
In the backline, flyhalf CT Vosloo really stood up for his side, scoring a try, a penalty and two conversions. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough to overcome a fierce effort from the visitors.
Despite the loss, Oakdale can look back on a phenomenal campaign, which included handing Paarl Boys’ High their only loss, and a win over Paul Roos Gimnasium last weekend.
Much like Paarl Gim last weekend, the Riversdal outfit was frustrated to end a brilliant season with a loss to a derby rival. Meanwhile, like Boishaai, the underdogs in black ended their season on a high note, their morale boosted by a memorable win.
Scorers
Boland Landbou 34 (12) – Tries: Jeandré le Roux, Gehano van Bo, Jadon Ocks, Kody Nell, Diwan Schoeman. Conversions: Pieter Bergh (3). Drop Goal: Pieter Bergh; Oakdale Landbou 27 (12) – Tries: Adrian Smith, Anrich Scheffer, Sine Mdlankomo, CT Vosloo. Conversions: CT Vosloo (2). Penalties: CT Vosloo.
Results
U19 – Oakdale II 26 Boland II 17, Oakdale III 17 Boland III 12, Oakdale IV 20 Boland IV 3, Oakdale V 36 Boland V 10, Oakdale VI 14 Boland VI 21, Oakdale VII 66 Boland VII 12.
U16 – Oakdale A 10 Boland A 27, Oakdale B 10 Boland B 0, Oakdale C 10 Boland C 33, Oakdale D 7 Boland D 26.
U15 – Oakdale A 7 Boland A 14, Oakdale B 24 Boland B 7, Oakdale C 12 Boland C 7, Oakdale D 8 Boland D 3, Oakdale E 7 Boland E 10.
U14 – Oakdale A 22 Boland A 12, Oakdale B 29 Boland B 5, Oakdale C 12 Boland C 12, Oakdale D 36 Boland D 5, Oakdale E 5 Boland E 43.
