Jaguars stage comeback to sting Hogs 2
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 15, 2022 16:00
Jaguars won the match through two penalties and a try. The match was part of the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) Super League. The game started with Hogs 2 piling pressure on Jaguars, showing a big heart for a young side.
Jaguars were too strong stopping the attacks. The referee blew for a scrum in the 12th minute, after a foul on Hogs 2. Jaguars confidently won the scrum due to the physical players they had. Ishmael Pelaelo took a kick for the Jaguars in the 20th minute missing the target by a whisker.
Hogs 2 scrum, Tefo Kamanga broke loose and dashed for a try, however, Jaguars full backs were able to recover quickly and brought him down. Hogs 2’s hardwork paid off a few moments later when they scored from a penalty.
The game went to recess with Hogs 2 leading 3-0. Upon return, Jaguars proved that they have grasped the instructions well from the dressing room. They started showing urgency to score and they camped on Hogs 2’s half.
Pelaelo scored a penalty for Jaguars to bring life into the game. The score changed the complexion of the match as Jaguars pushed for more goals. Jaguars finally scored a try by Dotse Tsheko in the 57th minute.
There was panic in Hogs 2 as they felt pressure and started making mistakes. A penalty was awarded to Jaguars and it was converted to give the side a comfortable lead of 11-3. Speaking to Sport Monitor after the match, Jaguars coach, Thabo Moyo said the plan was to be direct upfront and unfortunately his players did not follow the game plan. “We we’re just flat.
We made some adjustments to cover up for some players who are either injured or suspended. This is a young group and I am happy that they were able to play and express themselves. We made a crucial error right at the beginning of the game when we received the kick off, one of my players was injured. We had a lot of scrum infringements against us,” he said.
Moyo also said they had a new play-maker and he was not able to direct the ball to the right players. He said despite that, the play-maker was playing for the first time since the league started.
Hogs 2 coach Mike Okeeff said it was a well-fought victory by Jaguars. “I was impressed because we put a young team together last minute because the senior players went on a tour to Johannesburg. Given a short week, young players came through. We stood well in the first few minutes, the tackling was exceptional,” he said. Okeeff said they made plans to navigate the wind unfortunately players did not stick to the plan, big players were running high instead of low.
Teams:
Hogs: Teper Matlou, Onks Molapisi, Tommy Madinga, Alfred Alfred, Sana Itani, Pono Molefi, Mosimanegape Mugara, Vusi Ngunda, Kamanga, Bagopi Keboletswe, Amantle Mogotsi, Jack Beregane, Thabang Duane and Owen Naga.
Jaguars: Phenyo Serame, Boago Ghanie, Otlhamete Serumula, Lance Botha, Wellington Nasolo, Kgosi Kale, Tino Mamvuto, Tsamodimo Morake, Pelaelo, Jackie Moloi, Mkhululi Ndhlela, Kago Chube, Tsheko, Kago Balopi and Larona Ramaphane.
Jaguars: 11 Hogs 2: 3