A late surge from Violets turned what looked like a certain defeat into a dramatic draw, as the Western Province Super League B season got underway in Paarl.
Violets produced a determined second-half comeback to secure a draw in their opening Western Province Super League B clash against Young Peoples at Faure Street Stadium in Paarl.
The match began in disjointed fashion, with both teams struggling to find rhythm in a contest marked by repeated stoppages, handling errors and infringements. The lack of sustained momentum made it difficult for either side to assert control during the early stages.
Young Peoples capitalised on this uncertainty, taking command in the first half and building a convincing 17–3 lead by halftime. Their dominance in both territory and possession suggested that the contest was firmly in their control, while Violets struggled to gain a foothold.
However, the second half saw a significant shift in intensity. Violets returned with renewed focus, gradually increasing pressure and improving their execution. Their forward play began to generate better field position, while their backline showed greater intent in attack.
The turning point came late in the match when Fareez Davids broke through the defensive line, evading multiple defenders to score a crucial try under the posts. The score injected energy into the contest and shifted momentum in favour of Violets.
Sabin Marlie successfully converted the try, bringing the scores level and setting up a tense closing period. With time running out, Violets were awarded a penalty within kicking range, presenting an opportunity to complete a remarkable comeback victory.
However, the attempt drifted wide, leaving both sides to settle for a draw in a match that ultimately delivered late drama despite an inconsistent overall performance.
Violets coach Aashiq Wise acknowledged that while the result was positive in the context of the comeback, the performance itself left room for improvement.
“We were lucky. You could say it’s the start of the season and a share of the spoils is okay, but we will definitely have to improve,” he said.
In other Super League action, defending champions Villager made a commanding start to their campaign with a 57–0 victory over Uni-Milnerton at Brookside, scoring eight tries in a dominant display.
Source: Plainsman – Mark Ward
