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KNYSNA RUGBY NEWS - Greater Knysna Rugby Club have made it through to the SWD Coastal League semifinals after the club emerged as the victor in a quarterfinal match against Mossel Bay's Universals last weekend.

The club hosted Universals at the Hornlee sports field on Saturday 4 August and won convincingly with a 26-14 score.

Universals started the match off with a bang, side-stepping the overeager local tacklers and scoring the first try of the match under the post to take a 7-0 lead.

The home team soon fought back after the restart when a poor kick from Universals created the perfect opportunity for Greater Knysna to launch a counterattack with nice interplay between backs and forwards. Thando Tsewu scored with Ludwe Vara converting the try for the teams to draw level.

Halfway through the first half, another poor kick from the visitors saw fly half Masekhane Sitole starting a counterattack from his own 22m line, breaking the defensive line and running to the opposition's 10m. Passing to Zolani Bavuma, who then cut back into the field by bulldozing over and through a few players, ensured another try which was again converted by Vara.

At halftime Greater Knysna found themselves 14-7 in the lead.

Universals against scored first in the second half, thereby levelling the game's score. In response to this, the home boys took control of the game from the restart with Bradley Kiewitz showing off his speed and power to score the club's third try of the quarterfinals. Vara missed the difficult conversion leaving his team with a five-point lead.

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Greater Knysna closed out the game with a powerful scrum leading to a pushover try, courtesy of the big Bonisani Mtiki. Vara converted to hand the locals their first ever quarterfinal victory in the club's history. Sitole was named man of the match.

In other games on the day, Kranshoek Dolphins defeated Fly Eagles from Dam-se-Bos 17-0 in a friendly match, while United Stars from Geelhoutboom defeated Greater Knysna's second team narrowly in the second-team quarterfinals with 11 points to 10.

Greater Knysna's first team will now host Black Lions from Thembalethu (George) in the SWD Coastal League semifinal. The match is scheduled for Saturday 11 August at the Hornlee sports field. Gates will open at 14:00, with entrance a mere R10.

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