LSA cruise again................

16th February 2008

By Matt Aristizabal

London South Africa needed to get a win against Petersfield if they were to keep their title-winning ambitions alive and they responded with a resounding 57-7 victory to stay on course. A fantastic forward display set up the win, with prop Gerry Kruger’s try settling any early nerves when he went over in the 6th minute. Clint Dearmer followed suit with another, and Matt Fendick’s conversion meant that at 12-0 after 9 minutes the game looked over. There was a slight lull in the scoring however, and in the calm Petersfield pulled one back to make the difference only five but LSA quickly rallied through Malcolm Mirfin and Fendick with the extras. Mirfin got his pair soon after the half hour mark, and Gary Johnston added his own three minutes later. With Fendick getting both kicks LSA were able to go in to the break comfortably 33-7 up.

Despite only handling errors stopping the scoreline from increasing, Petersfield did rally after the break and looked to be fighting their way back as they spoiled and slowed down LSA’s ball, but could only hold on until the last quarter when Anton Kriel went over. Any hopes of a 2nd half miracle for the away side were shattered when half-back Vaughan Gilson got in on the act with tries in both the 73rd and 78th minute, Fendick converting both. Christian van Rooyen capped a brilliant performance by adding his name to the scoresheet in injury time, and Fendick’s conversion drew the game to a close.

Van Rooyen’s performance stood out and he rightly got the KWV Wines man-of-the-match, but on another day it could have gone to any of the forwards as they all led from the front.