Blue Saturday for Greater Knysna

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KNYSNA RUGBY NEWS - The second Knysna Derby of the 2019 season was unable to live up to the precedent set by the first event earlier this season, as the second teams didn't even play while Knysna United's first team ran away with its game on 17 August.

Knysna United and Greater Knysna had locked horns for the first time this season on 25 May, in a Knysna Derby for the books, with Knysna United coming up trumps on that day too. Back in May, the second teams had kicked off following a provincial women's rugby match, and Knysna United was able to draw first blood on the day.

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Greater Knysna looked set to make the day all square as they held a nine-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the first-team game. However, an inability to finish off games from Greater Knysna, and sheer will from Knysna United saw the men in blue win the game by the finest of margins.

The two clubs would have undoubtedly been hoping to pull off more of the same when they clashed at Loerie Park once again, as the 2019 SWD President's League Coastal begins to draw to a close. With only two match weeks left in the season, and both clubs nowhere near winning the league, the day was merely played for pride.

The second-team game didn't even see the light of day however, as Greater Knysna was unable to field a side, which is not the first time this has happened this season. Thankfully for the fans in attendance, the first teams were able to play, kicking off at about 15:30 with gloomy skies overhead and an icy chill in the air.

Greater Knysna drew first blood, scoring early to take a 5-0 lead, but this didn't last long as Knysna United soon crashed over the whitewash and converted to take a 7-5 lead. Much like the rest of the season, Greater Knysna struggled with ball in hand as handling error on handling error cost them possession far too often.

Knysna United would score and convert two more tries before halftime as they took a 21-5 lead. The second half would be more of the same for both sides, but Greater Knysna's inability to put a consistent number of phases together cost them as they were only able to score one more try to go with a drop goal halfway through the second period.

Knysna United scored two tries of their own to round out a dominant performance and seal a 33-15 win, and in doing so seal the season double over their Knysna rivals.

Hilmer Plaatjies gathers the ball during a Knysna United lineout. Photos: Blake Linder