Beijing Cup Round 1: Match Report
Beijing Aardvarks vs Beijing Ducks
FT: 12 - 7
Tries: Luan Kleynhans, Fili Toaiga
Conversion: Luan Kleynhans
Match Report
Kick off time was 12PM and the game was slowly approaching. The weather for the day was beginning to turn extremely humid and the heat the players were feeling on the day was challenging.
The game started badly for the Varks as the initial early possession was soon knocked on and the Ducks set up a scrum. Within 3 minutes of kick off the Ducks backline split the Vark backline and drove underneath the posts for first blood. It was now 0 - 7.
Ducks player breaking free from Aardvarks hooker Larry Roche
Varks struggled to get into the rhythm of the game as the weather increasingly effected how slippery the ball became. The game past 20 minutes became hotly contested as big hits from both sides were on show. Varks had much of their success with their width as Francis Afuamua and Momo began finding their feet and breaking past the Ducks backline numerous times.
Momo breaking free down the left hand touchline
As half-time approached the Varks increasingly began to look threathening as the Ducks defence was as impressive. The varks found a break through try from Fili Toaiga which made the game 5 - 7. Sione Munipola arguably should have added the extra two points but the linesmen and referee ruled it wide. The Varks soon began having trouble reigniting the rhythm they brought and half-time soon came shortly afterwards.
Fili Toaiga reaching over the Aardvarks first try
The second half resumed with much of the same mistakes as the first half. Varks began running their phases but the extreme heat turned the rugby ball into a bar of soap. Both sides traded barb after barb as the heat forced both teams to make substitutions. The game began to slow down and hit after hit both sides began to feel the toll of the game. Unfortunately an incident involving an Vark player at the breakdown saw the Varks go down the 14 men for the remaining duration of the game. The Ducks saw their chance to beat the Aardvarks for the first time in two years. This rejuvated the Varks to find something special to get ahead in the game.
Wellington Kanyama breaks a tackle and showcased one of his finest performances for the men in blue.
The pivotal moment of the game came 7 minutes from time when Vark winger Jos Nooy brillantly intercepted a Ducks backline pass and he subsequently broke free and offloaded the ball to Luan Kleynhans who sailed around the Ducks fullback and under the posts to give the Aardvarks the lead.
Jos Nooy intercepts the ball and breaks free of a tackle
Luan Kleynhans touches the ball down for the Aardvarks second try of the game to make it 12-7.
From then on the pressure began to mount as the Ducks threw everything at the 14 men Aardvarks who brillantly defended on their line. The penalty count started to rise quickly as the Varks were parked on their try line. Jos Nooy again intercepted the ball and had no Ducks in his way but the referee blew up the whistle as advantage had been in play. Eventually the deciding moment came when Vark hooker Larry Roche became unmovable at a crucial ruck and the penalty was awarded to the Varks. The ball was kicked out and the final whistle blew.
Captain Milo Reynolds commanding the most dominant lineout in Beijing
Captain Milo Reynolds said after the game “there will always be games like that, games that are difficult and close but that it showed our heart and character as a team together. We have much to improve on in the coming weeks”.
Final Score: Aardvarks 12 - 7 Ducks
Man of the Match: Francis Afuamua
