Tough day for False Bay at Brookside

It was a highly anticipated Top Five SLA clash, high-flying Village FC hosting Motorvaps False Bay at Brookside and after 80 action-packed minutes, it was the hosts who stood as 36-12 victors. The half time score was 13-12.

- JON HARRIS

Before the encounter kicked off, the teams gathered for a moment's silence to honour club members who had recently passed. The most recent was Brad Bing, founder of Sporting Chance, a sports development organisation.

The anticipation of this clash was perhaps reflected in the spectators framing the pitch, many lining in the office block corridors like sparrows on a telephone wire. The reverence in which the contest was held was perhaps reflected in the appointment of one of the country's foremost referees, Amy Barret-Theron.

From the opening shrill blast on her whistle, there was no doubt as to the intent of these two teams, the hosts with their massive pack, confrontational and physical, their guests not as bulky and apparently with a plan to upset the power pattern of the Dirty Whites.