Despatch Cell C Community Cup Champions

This past Saturday GAP Despatch faced Jonsson College Rovers in the final of the Cell C Community Cup at Outeniqua Park in George. It was a fitting final for these two side as they also played the opening game when the tournament started on the 16th of February.

Despatch lost their opening game against College Rovers 38 - 17 in Durban. Their second match was a comfortable win against Villagers Worchester 67 - 23. Sishen was up next, but again Despatch was on the winning side, 30 - 20. Their last group match was a close game against SK Walmers in Cape Town but Despatch still came out on top, final score 37 - 32.

In their Quarter Final match they were up against Pretoria Police, but Despatch had one goal in mind and that was to play in the final. Despatch went through to the Semi Final after beating Police 33 - 25. In the Semi Final Rustenburg Impalas almost spoil their plans, but a drop goal secured a win and a final for Despatch after beating Impalas by a single point 21 - 20.

Not only was the final a special occasion for the players but there were also 3 ex Springboks involved, former team mates now on opposite ends of the field. Adri Geldenhuys and Danie Gerber in the colours of Despatch and Robert du Preez on the side of College Rovers.

It is however not the first time Gerber and du Preez faced each other in a Club Champs final. The two played on opposites sides 25 years ago, also the last time Despatch won the Club Champs. On that day Despatch held on to a 13 - 12 win over Tukkies.

This time Gerber's Despatch played against College Rovers, the team that beat them comfortably in their opener in Durban. The final was however played on a neutral field and it was a much closer affair. It was up to a Monty Dumond penalty after 79 minutes of rugby to determine a winner, final score 26 - 24 to men from the Eastern Cape.

Before the start of the season Despatch no8 Jaco Swanepoel told me this tournament will bring new life to club rugby, and they will get the opportunity to play against the best in the country. Little did he know that by the end of the tournament they (Despatch) will be the best in the country.

Swanepoel who also scored a try in the final told me that nothing can replace the feeling of knowing that you are the no 1 club side in the country.

Well done Despatch.