Diggers outplayed by ruthless Wits attack
The Diggers Rugby Club senior team faced a tough afternoon on their home ground as they were outclassed by Wits University's senior side, who walked away with an emphatic 85–7 victory on the day. From the opening whistle, it was clear that the visitors meant business, applying early pressure and taking full control of the game.
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Wits were quick to make their mark, scoring two converted tries to take a 14–0 lead within the first few minutes. Their attacking play was swift, sharp, and difficult to contain. Diggers struggled to keep up with the pace, often caught off guard by Wits' well co-ordinated movements and quick passes. The standout performance of Wits' left lock Kgoposto Matlena, who scored two quick tries, widened the gap even further. Diggers had no response to the visitors' smooth and structured gameplay. By halftime, Wits were firmly in charge, with a 28–0 lead.
The second half followed the same pattern, with Wits picking up right where they left off. Their right centre Keith Chirwa added two more tries to his name as Wits' attack continued to slice through the Diggers' defence. At one point, the scoreboard showed a staggering 71–0 in favour of the visiting side. Spectators could be heard chanting, 'Give us 90!', reflecting the confidence and excitement surrounding the dominant performance.
Wits full back Latica Nela commented on the teams performance. 'For the first time in a while it was a good, holistic performance. Of course, it was a bit of a loose game and I think we adapted to that. We would still like to see the boys put in a bit of structure against the bigger teams.'
Though the match was clearly beyond their reach, Diggers kept pushing and were finally rewarded with a consolation try. It was a small moment of joy in an otherwise forgettable outing. The match ended 85–7, a result that will likely prompt some serious reflection within the Diggers camp.
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Diggers' first team rugby coach Kane Mavrodaris expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. 'We knew we were the underdogs going into this game, and it felt like we didn't deal very well with their ball movement. We didn't trust each other on defence and let each other down a little bit'
For Wits, the match was a clear display of their attacking depth, fitness, and discipline. Their ability to control the game from start to finish made it one of their most commanding performances yet. As for Diggers, they will look to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and come back stronger in their next fixture.
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