Kiewiet scores three tries as Gimmies extend their reign in Welkom
Welkom Gimnasium claimed the bragging rights in Welkom for a 10th year on the trot after asserting their dominance over Goudveld in their annual FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.
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The Gouties fought valiantly to hold Welkom Gim within range during the first half through the boot of their flyhalf, Ruben Crous.
Ronaldo Kiewiet added another hattrick to his exceptional try-scoring record for the black jerseys, however, and Welkom Gim tightened the screws in the second half to storm to a 48-9 victory.
With 11 players in this year’s provisional Griffons Craven Week team, Welkom Gimnasium has set the pace in the region this season, and they will be the heavy favourites when entering the playoff stages next term.
Apart from Kiewiet, Kananelo Tutubala, Zander Olivier, Bokang Lesenyeho, Ethan Jones and Dyllan Kemp all crossed the Goutie try line to the delight of the home supporters.
Hoërskool Trio weathered a spirited Hentie Cilliers‘ attack to score a hard-fought 26-22 victory.
Trio managed the game well from the start, with their flyhalf Byron Biennas pulling the strings from the midfield.
By halftime, the hosts had accrued a 15-3 lead, but the side from Virginia showed excellent fighting spirit to outscore Trio 19-11 in the second half.
Tries by Ashwon Mellen, Xander Wiltshire and Mosa Sesedi drove Henties to a 22-18 lead with only five minutes left to play, but another penalty by Biennas and a last-minute try by Jayden Windvogel grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat for the proud Kroonstad outfit.
Completely against the run of play, the industrious winger hacked through a loose ball from his own goal line and outpaced the Henties’ defenders to score a dramatic winner for Trio.
Landboudal continued their impressive run of form on the farm in Jacobsdal to take down Jim Fouché, 31-17.
The first 35 minutes was a closely contested battle, but the home team surged to victory in the second half, with their nippy winger, Jannie de Waal, diving in for two tries.
Fichardtpark also continued building on their recent good form with a second win of the week.
After a 36-14 triumph over HTS Louis Botha in a midweek clash, the Fichies surged to a 43-22 victory over Hoërskool Burgersdorp on Saturday.
Duan Viviers crossed the whitewash twice for the Bloemfontein boys.
Scorers
Welkom Gimnasium 48 (17) – Tries: Renaldo Kiewiet (3), Kananelo Tutubala, Zander Olivier, Bokang Lesenyeho, Ethan Jones, Dyllan Kemp. Conversions: Kiewiet (4). Goudveld 9 (9) – Penalties: Ruben Crous (2). Drop goal: Crous.
Hoërskool Trio 26 (15) – Tries: Keanu Swanepoel, Ethan Smith, Jayden Windvogel. Conversion: Byron Biennas. Penalties: Biennas (2), Byron Magerman. Hentie Cilliers 22 (3) – Tries: Ashwon Mellen, Xander Wiltshire, Mosa Sesedi. Conversions: Rorisang Marumo (2). Penalty: Marumo.
Landboudal 31 (14) – Tries: Jannie de Waal (2), Brink Bruwer, Franke Fourie. Conversions: Marius Etzebeth (4). Penalty: Etzebeth. Jim Fouché 17 (12) – Tries: Milan Marais, Qian Moller, Bendré Vermaak. Conversion: Vermaak.
Fichardtpark 43 – Tries: Duan Viviers (2), Divan Martens, Devanté Claasens, MJ Herbst, Pule Motsilili. Conversions: MJ Herbst (5). Penalty: Herbst. Burgersdorp 22.
