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On Sunday 16th October LSA were back at their home ground, Imber Court, ready to face Worthing. With two consecutive away wins behind them, and a second mid-week training session with Tim Walsh and Corne du Rand under their belts, LSA were considered favourites for the first time. A good crowd had turned out to support LSA, amongst them Michael Horak (London Irish) and Warren Britz (Natal Sharks). Two minutes after kick-off a penalty was awarded against LSA for not rolling away, putting Worthing three points up. Despite Worthing being placed ninth in the Canterbury Shield Division Four, to LSA’s third, it was already obvious in the early stages of the game that it would prove to be much harder than expected. This was at least in part due to the fact that Worthing had been forced, due to player availability, to bolster their team with a number of their 1st XV side. After some effective harassing at the base of the scrum by Tom Henry, LSA won a great lineout with Bruce McClelland surging forward from the ensuing ruck and maul. A penalty was awarded for offside against Worthing, just inside the 22. As the game began to grow in intensity LSA put together some strong forward play and good ball carrying work by Mark Porter and Aldo du Plessis. Fifteen minutes into the game there was a good pick and drive by the LSA forwards, and after three or four phases of the game the ball was spread out to Nick Osman. His ensuing kick for the corner nearly led to a try for Johan du Plooy on the wing. For the first time in 3 weeks LSA were called on to defend and defend well against a very determined Worthing side. The pressure continued from Worthing and after one breakout from the Worthing back 3, LSA did well to snuff the attack out with great defence just stopping them scoring five metres out from the line. Showing once again their ability to counter attack, Osman started a move from deep in the LSA 22. Backs and forwards linked well, notably involving skipper Ryan Hendrikz. After a great pick and take from the halfway by the LSA forwards, the ball came left from Osman to the LSA midfield of Karl Van der Welt and Gert Van Devnter. They linked again with the forwards in the form of Ryan Williamson and Heinryk van Zyl and the move was finished off by Jake Hoddinot to leave LSA leading 5-3. The lead didn’t last for long as Worthing came back with a try of their own. LSA rebounded by keeping the pressure on their opponents, winning a penalty on the Worthing 22 but no score was to come from this attack. Quentin van Wyk had by now joined the fray, on for the injured Gary Johnstone on the left wing. By halftime, LSA was trailing 5-8 and a number of changes were made: Aldo Du Plessis’s first half injury forced him off to be replaced by James Saunders. In the second row, Ryan Williams made way for Bruce McClelland move up into the second row and Mark Otto came on at open-side. In the backs, scrum half Daniel James came on for Tom Henry. Gert Van Dewenter and Karl Van der Welt were replaced by Tim Osman, making his LSA debut, and Rob Smith at 12 and 13 respectively. The changes were completed with Justin Venter replacing Bevan Williams at 15. LSA couldn’t have started the second half better as in the first minute Mark Porter took the ball up and Bruce McClelland popped up to score a great try. At 10-8, LSA were beginning to show some of the form of the previous week, retaining the ball much better than in the first half. The game then settled again with some strong play by both sides and defences on top. In the 60th minute Quentin van Wyk sustained a bad shoulder injury and was forced to come off to be replaced by Christopher Kroeze on the right wing. LSA continued to put some great pressure on the Worthing line. Two try attempts were held up and finally a penalty was awarded to Worthing at the last minute. LSA countered by winning a penalty of their own. With not long to go, LSA were looking to score again, but Hendrikz was held up just held up short of the line. Five minutes later LSA were awarded a penalty and kicked for position in the Worthing 22. Camping back on the Worthing line, LSA were again held up. From an LSA scrum in the 22, Nick Osman showed his deceptive pace, gliding through a gap in the Worthing defence to touch down. Arnold Spaumer, who had taken up an unfamiliar position on the LSA wing earlier in proceedings, now moved into the number 10 berth to replace a tired looking Nick Osman. With the scoring momentum behind them, the LSA pack again showed their dominance with more quality driving play deep into Worthing territory. After some great team play, Johan du Plooy showed his class - tackled just short of the Worthing the line he laid on a great pass back inside for a grateful Tim Osman to run in LSA’s final score of the match. The final score was 20-8 to LSA - another tough win against opposition who had had the benefit of the regular training and fitness that the LSA squad will need to work on in the weeks ahead.
Starting XV Ryan Hendrikz, Heinryk van Zyl, Aldo du Plessi, Justin Rose, Bruce McClelland, Jake Hoddinot, Ryan Williamson, Mark Porter, Tom Henry, Nick Osman, Gert van Dewenter, Karl van der Velt, Gary Johnstone, Johan Du Plooy, Bevan Williams. Substitutes Mark Otto, James Saunders, Quentin van Wyk, Dan James, Arnold Spaumer, Chris Low, Tim Osman, Rob Smith, Justin Venter, Chris Kroeze. (All subs used).
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