Soon after the gates opened at 13:30 the field was a hive of activity with hundreds of local under 13 boys being coached by the SWD support team. Tag Rugby SA followed with a colourful display and the mood was set for an entertaining day. KUFRC had worked hard throughout the previous week to organise this event at very short notice - ably assisted by P-J Sports Productions and the Knysna Municipality - and there was a good selection of food and drink available, including great beer served in a tented and fenced area by Mitchell's Brewery.
Knysna FM kept the events flowing with music and regular activity reports, and the weather was kind with temperatures in the mid-20s with the sun mostly shining on the crowd of more than 1,500 spectators.
Deborah Scott and Pam Golding hosted a mini-rugby session before the senior rugby matches began.
The first game was the league game between the hosts, Knysna United, and the Jaguars from The Crags (refer to the full match report). Clearly the pressure of the big arena was too much for the Knysna United first team and their display of rugby fell far short of what was expected.
They ended up losing 14 - 0 in front of a crowd of very disappointed supporters.
The main event, the Vodacom Cup game between the SWD Eagles and the Griquas followed, entertaining the crowd with some good running rugby and belligerent forward play. Like Knysna United's first team the Eagles failed to get out of first gear, allowing the Griquas a comfortable win with the final score at 33 - 0. This was the Griquas’ third straight win in the Vodacom Cup.
Knysna United’s second team then finished the evening's entertainment with a convincing victory over the Jaguar second team. They played simple but very effective running rugby and scored a tally of 7 tries to 2 to make the final score 44-15. Selectors are going to have a difficult job when Knysna United plays its next league games in Oudtshoorn on March 26 March.
A reception, hosted by KURFC and Knysna Executive Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies, was held at the clubhouse shortly after conclusion of the Vodacom Cup game, ending a fantastic day of rugby for local fans and visitors.
The SWD management team was pleased with the day’s success and committed itself to hosting more senior games at this beautiful venue in the future.
Meanwhile KURFC will continue with sponsor negotiations which could also bring some senior rugby matches to Knysna from the Eastern Cape.
Rugby seems to re-establishing itself firmly in the town of Knysna.
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Knysna FM radio presenters from the newly established Knysna community radio station, Chantelle Cadwell and Mark Willemse, provided the music during the rugby festivities at Loerie Park on Friday, March 11.
