Close but no cigar for Knysna

KNYSNA RUGBY NEWS - Knysna United has narrowly missed out on a spot in the playoffs of the 2019 SWD President's League, despite having thumped Garden Route Rugby Club in a 72-point encounter at Loerie Park on Saturday 31 August.

Heading into the final match of the round-robin stage of the league, Knysna needed to secure five points to put themselves in with a chance of making playoffs, but needed clubs from the other two regions (Langeberg and Karoo) to drop points in order for them to progress. Garden Route didn't bring their second team along for the day, so it would only be the first teams to play on 31 August.

Garden Route's first team had already secured their spot in the playoffs, and were merely playing for pride when they locked horns with Knysna, but they were sent home packing with absolutely none. After changing kits to a lighter shade of blue as the two sides' kits were too similar, Knysna's first team ran out onto the pitch like men on a mission, coming out of the blocks like a bat out of hell.

Knysna had scored four tries and secured their bonus point before the half-hour mark of the game, meaning they had the rest of the game to simply extend their lead and round out the game. The match went into halftime at 31-12 to Knysna, with the home side looking like the better outfit by a country mile.

The second half would yield more of the same from both sides, as a strong defence and positive attacking mindset from Knysna saw them bag two more tries while Garden Route could only muster up another two. This meant Knysna earned themselves a 50-22 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive by the skin of their teeth.

However, as results from the other regions came in, Knysna realised they won't be playing in the playoffs, having missed out by only four points. Even though they didn't make it through, there will be CX representation later this month as Sedgefield Eagle Stars will be hosting a semifinal on 14 September having qualified top of the combined President's League log.

The Langeberg region's Mossel Bay will be hosting the other semifinal, with either side's opponents to be determined this weekend in the playoffs. These will be played between All Blacks and Spring Roses who finished third and fifth on the combined log respectively, while Albertinia Rangers and Garden Route who finished fourth and sixth will play in the other first teams playoff.

Jason Bruiners gets tackled after making a bursting run through the defence.