It was a game of two halves in Maun this past weekend as Great North Rugby Club nearly pulled off a stunning comeback against a dominant Jwaneng Rugby Club, ultimately falling just meters short in a heart-stopping 21-27 defeat.
Jwaneng stamped their authority early in the match, commanding the first half with relentless pressure that pinned the Northmen deep into their own territory. Their aggressive plays at the line resulted in multiple tries and successful conversions, leaving the home side visibly shaken and trailing significantly by the break.
With heads low and voices muted, the Great North team returned to the locker room in need of direction. Coach Mothusi Makwati responded with strategic substitutions and a shift in tactics that would dramatically change the tone of the match.
“In the first half, we were making a lot of mistakes,” Makwati admitted. “But at halftime, we changed the strategy and adjusted the lineup. That made the difference.”
The adjustments paid off. The Northmen charged into the second half with renewed vigor, launching wave after wave of attack that pushed Jwaneng back onto their heels. Though their first two possessions ended in near-misses, it was on the third attempt that Great North finally broke through, igniting a surge of belief among players and supporters alike.
What followed was a fiery rally. Great North secured a second try and locked down defensively to keep Jwaneng at bay. Their third try brought the crowd to its feet, setting the stage for a potential late-game upset.
With minutes left and the sideline roaring in support, Great North pushed within two meters of the try line, but time betrayed them. The referee’s final whistle cut short what could have been a storybook comeback, sealing the narrow defeat at 21-27.
Despite the loss, Coach Makwati praised the team’s grit and commitment:
“I think the team gave it their all, especially considering how some of the boys travel from as far as Selebi-Phikwe just to play. We were also short on a few players. But given how we performed, I believe there’s a lot of potential here.”
While on the other hand in the nation BRU League fixtures delivered more action across both the men’s and women’s divisions. In the men’s matches, the Gaborone Hogs edged out BDF Cheetahs 27-22 in a closely contested battle, while Jwaneng Rugby Club held off a fierce second-half comeback from Great North to win 27-21 in Maun.
In the women’s division, BDF Cheetahs delivered a commanding 19-0 shutout against the Gaborone Hogs, asserting their dominance. Meanwhile, Jwaneng Women’s team continued their winning form with a hard-fought 28-21 victory over Shakawe.
With week 3 of the BRU coming to an end a new call sounds in the North.
