Happy ending to tough season for Titans RFC

Mark Ward|Published 7 months ago

Thaafir Abrahams of Manenberg Rangers clears the ball from a scrum during his side’s regional knockout fixture against Titans, at the Parkwood Sport complex, on Saturday. Picture: Mark Ward

It might not have gone their way during this season’s hotly contested campaign in the WPRFU Southern League, but reaching the quarter-final of the Challenger Cup series stands as just reward for the Titans Rugby team.

The lads from Grassy Park reached the next round of the knock-out competition when they edged Manenberg Rangers 20-17 in a play-off match, at the Parkwood Sport complex on Saturday.

Titans RFC’s Liam Arens of Titans runs into the defence during his side’s regional knockout fixture against Manenberg Rangers, at the Parkwood Sport complex, on Saturday. Picture: Mark Ward

The series has been introduced for teams who did not qualify for the regional promotional play-offs for a place in next season’s Super League C.

Flyhalf Luke Botha contributed 11 points which included a try and two penalties while loosehead prop Nathan Wagner added his side’s second try with fullback Liam Erens converting tries for Titans.

Nazeem Moerat, coach of Titans, being carried shoulder high off the park by singing players and supporters following hi side’s 20-17 win against Manenberg Rangers, at the Parkwood sport complex, at the weekend. Picture: Mark Ward

The celebration of this victory, however, resembled that of a cup final success with coach Nazeem Moerat being carried shoulder high off the park by singing players and supporters.

“So waarom kan julle nie elke week so speel nie?” (Why can’t you play like this every week?), Moerat jokingly said in his post-match briefing with the players.

“This is a sign of what this victory means to our clubs. We work very hard at every practice session. This is the reward. We might not have won the cup or promotion, but we celebrate the small successes. Now we prepare for the next assignment,” said Moerat.