As is traditional, this week saw a big week for our City, Southern, and Northern Region teams as the clubs gathered at the Sport Science Institute on Wednesday evening to determine the draw for the first round of the Promotion League games. The Promotion League round is split into two sections: the top three from each region will play for promotion to Super League C, and the bottom six from each region will play for the regional second-round cup.
Braving the weather from as far as Gordon’s Bay, the clubs arrived in good spirits and, as always, went through the function in a jovial manner with positive engagements. With each club drawing from the hat, the clubs were allocated their fixtures, which will be announced shortly. The bottom six in each region also drew, and after some deliberation, the regional second-round challenge will now be known as the Challenge Cup.
The Promotion League is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time as the teams have not played against each other before. However, it is also exciting because they can meet each other across various regions, which makes for even more social cohesion.
Looking at some of the results from last week, things do seem to be heating up as we get ever closer to the top six and the bottom three.
In Super League A, St Georges hosted Durbell, but despite the home game advantage, the match ended in a 17-19 result, favoring Durbell. This match went past the overtime mark, and St Georges again showed just how dangerous they can be at home with the Lulu fans in support. Helderberg, also playing at home, faced Kuilsriver and secured a 47-24 victory. Helderberg scored 7 tries. This win places Helderberg in the sixth position on the log, and after ten matches, Kuilsriver sits in the thirteenth position. SK Walmers and CPUT are below Kuilsriver on the log but still have three games in hand. NTK and Brackenfell, having also played ten matches, will be equally cautious over the next few games to attempt avoiding the bottom three.
In Super League B, Franschhoek had the home game advantage against Collegians, but the match ended in a 27-43 defeat. Collegians managed 6 tries. Currently, Franschhoek holds the sixth position on the log, with Collegians in the ninth position. With games in hand, Hamediahs, Bellville, and Collegians are still in with a shout as Franschhoek and Belhar have played through eleven matches. Bellville went down narrowly to Hands and Heart, and Hamediahs scored an impressive 33-21 win over log leaders Van der Stel. Kraaifontein, also playing at home, faced All Saints and won 54-22. Kraaifontein scored an impressive 8 tries. This victory places Kraaifontein in the second position on the log.
In Super League C competition, Young Peoples hosted Pniel Villagers and secured a 37-20 victory. Young Peoples scored 5 tries. Young Peoples is now in the sixth position on the log with a win percentage of 83%, while Pniel Villagers sit in the fourth position. Goodwood remains unbeaten on the log after their win over Rangers this past weekend, keeping them at number two on the log. Primrose scored a hard-fought win over Macassar, 21-17, and Blue Jets scored a close 24-23 win over Scottsdene. Macassar retains the top spot, followed by Goodwood and now Primrose, while Pniel Villagers, Atlantis, and Young Peoples hold up the bottom of the top six.
In the Paarl Region competition, Lower Paarl hosted an impressive Riverstones and lost narrowly, 23-24. Lower Paarl is in the first position on the log, with Riverstones in the fourth. Allandale had the home game advantage against Young Gardens but was defeated 13-36. Young Gardens is in the second position. Simondium went down to Paarl Rangers, 14-26, allowing Paarl Rangers to retain second on the log.
As previously mentioned, due to poor weather conditions, all matches this weekend have been postponed. Clubs are reminded to arrange their missed fixtures between each other and notify the WPRFU offices as soon as possible.