Hogs wallop Sharks in Sevens Tourney

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Monday June 20, 2011 00:00

 

Hogs A overcame 14 other teams to become champions in the competition that was contested in a round robin format. The first semi-final game featured Hogs A who beat Cheetahs A in a game that ended 20-7. Sharks A beat EMG Gunners 7-nil in the second semi-final to secure themselves a final spot with Hogs A.

The long awaited final was however a disappointment as it was one sided with Hogs being the dominant side throughout the game. In the first half, Hogs maintained possession and kept the ball in the Sharks' half. Hogs tormented Sharks who seemed tired probably from their game with Gunners. James Harris scored Hogs first try and it was converted by Hugo Botha. After the try Sharks got back into the game as they now made attempts to score against Hogs. Their efforts were however not enough as Hogs Marcus Nel scored a try that was once again converted by Botha to end the first half 14-0. The second half was almost a repetition of the first half as Hogs continued dominance. Sharks however seemed more motivated in the second half as they made an effort to get back into the game. They were able to prevent a lot of mistakes and had a better organised play. They also made several attempts to the goal line but Hogs defence was too strong for them to penetrate. Harris however scored the sole try in the second half and Botha converted the try ending the game 26-0.

National Sevens team coach, Mooketsi Ramakele said he used the tournament to assess potential national team players. He said there would be more tournaments of the same sort in future to continue assessing the Sevens in preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers that are expected to take place in Zambia in August. 'We want to come up with a pool of capable Sevens players outside the current national 15's team who are currently in Cameroon for the Africa Cup,' he said.

However the women's teams played friendly games amongst each other as Jwaneng failed to show up for the tournament. An official of the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU), who did not want to be named, said that there are teams that have a tendency of not showing up for big tournaments and not giving reasons for their absence. He said that such teams are the ones that drop the level of rugby in the country. 'Stiff penalties should be imposed on such teams,' he said.

Other teams that participated in the tournament were Mochudi, UB Rhinos teams A, B and C, Sharks B, Hogs B, Gideons A and B, Whales A and B and Cheetahs A and B. The women's teams that showed up for the tournament were Hogs, and UB Rhinos teams A and B.