WESTERN Suburbs celebrated their 40th anniversary in style with an exciting 36-29 victory against Robertson Rangers on Saturday.
Suburbs seemed to be heading for an easy victory when they raced into a 19-0 lead after only 14 minutes, while they led 22-7 at the half time break, but the Cape visitors produced some scintillating rugby in the second half to draw level at 29-all.
Suburbs however had the final say when fullback Greg Stein raced through for a try behind the posts in the final minute to give them a thrilling victory.
Both sides scored five tries, but Rangers right wing Dawid Eyssen had a poor day with the boot, missing several kicks at goal, while Suburbs fly half Nazume Swartz was more secure, adding nine points with the boot.
Suburbs took an early lead when centre Deveroux Jansen went over in the corner and although Ricardo swartz missed the conversion, they soon went further ahead when scrum half AJ Kearns burst over after a fine attack by winger Morgan Esterhuizen. Swartz added the conversion as they went 12-0 ahead after only six minutes.
Suburbs continued to pile on the pressure and went further ahead when flanker Mogamat Emamdien burst over from a second phase attack, and with Swartz once again converting they went 19-0 ahead.
Rangers finally opened their account midway through the half when left wing Johlin Cupido cut inside to score behind the posts, with Eyssen adding the conversion, but a long range penalty by Swartz put Suburbs 22-7 ahead at the break.
Rangers rang the changes at half time and looked a different side as they started to take the match to Suburbs.
Centre Rudavan Adams went over after a fine dummy run and pass by Eyssen, but the latter, incredibly, missed the conversion from in front of the posts.
Three minutes later they scored again when substitute Juan Beukman burst away to send another substitute, Siva Padiachy over, but Eyssen’s kicking woes continued as his conversion attempt hit the post.
Suburbs struck back with a try by prop Andreas Shikonekeni, converted by Swartz, to go 29-17 ahead, but the visitors launched a determined comeback in the final quarter.
Rangers’ eighthman and captain Jean Jacques Jacobs rounded off a fine hand-to-hand attack by forwards and backs, and when fullback Esteban van der Merwe scored a converted try after a 40 metre run, the sides were suddenly level at 29-29 with five minutes to go.
A drop goal attempt by Swartz went narroely wide, but Suburbs had the fibnal say when wing Ricardo Swartz launched a counter attack and pased to Greg Stein who cut through the defence to score behind the posts. Centre Deveroux Jansen added the conversion to clinch a fine 36-29 victory.
In the curtain raiser match, a Western Suburbs combined side beat Rawsonville Barbarians 35-31 after leading 21-10 at half time.
