Lagunya RFC team manager, Similo Douglas, said the friendly matches for their under-20 and senior Super League C sides came at the perfect time because the league is currently in their mid-season break.
The club was founded in 1992 when 32 teams from the Langa, Gugulethu and Nyanga communities – hence the name Lagunya – amalgamated to form one strong team.
Olympics RFC from Nyanga was one of the teams which made up Lagunya.
“Olympics was the first team to be invited and play against False Bay during that difficult time.
“And, Saturday’s games were in commemoration of that,” said Douglas.
“We got promoted to the Super League C league this season, and one of the rules in the league is that we need to have an under-20 team competing as well.
“The team is new so every friendly game that we play only helps us,” he said.
The under-20 team lost 55-15 and the senior side lost 59-10.
“It’s been a tough first season in the league and we’ve had some teething problems, but we are working on it.
“We didn’t have any friendly games lined up for the break, so we were thankful, knowing we were going to play against a strong team from the Super League A,” said Douglas.
“Winning would have been nice and a good morale boost because False Bay play two leagues above us. Despite losing, the results didn’t break our spirit. The players got good exposure and now know where they stand, and what they need to do in order to get to the next level,” he said.
Douglas said the club continues to grow and are trying to get school’s involved with them.
Their under-20 side are lying mid-table with three losses and two wins from their six matches.
And, the senior side are 12th on the log with two wins registered and one draw from their nine matches.
“For this season we just want to remain competitive and maintain our status in the league. We’ve played in this league before but got relegated three seasons ago, and have been pushing to get the club back to where it is now. Hopefully next season we’ll have more stability then we can start playing for a top-three spot in the league,” said Douglas.
“Last season’s promotion battle did not come easy.
“We lost some crucial matches in the first half of the season, but after the break, we were unbeaten and that’s what won us the league.
“We finished second on the log and got straight promotion,” he said.
Lagunya will play in the Vulisango Rugby Day hosted by Busy Bees RFC on Saturday July 2, at the Langa Rugby Stadium.
The day will feature 18 teams ranging from under-13 to under-20; an under-16 women’s side and men’s senior teams.
The event will be used to raise funds for Vulisango Solomon, a former Busy Bees player, who got injured while playing.
See story on page 36