Feedback from the 2006 Wilderness Vets
Football Tournament (over 35)

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As this was the first year that this tournament would be played over two weekends with the over 35’s playing on the 14 & 15 July and the over 40’s playing on the 4 & 5 August, SA Sports Tours were pleased with the entry of six quality sides in the over 35 event.

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Driving up from PE early on Friday morning in heavy rain I began panicking about the possibility of planes not being allowed to land as a result of the poor visibility. As we approached George it appeared to be clearing over the mountains and by lunch time we were faced with a clear sunny afternoon.

After the captains meeting in the Saasveld clubhouse the first match of the day kicked off at 17h00 between Stephanian Ottery from Cape Town and Ruimsig who play out of Roodeport in Joburg. This was followed by a quality Vasco da Gama side from Cape Town taking on newcomers Lenasia Old Boys from Joburg. This proved to be an interesting battle and although Vasco prevailed 3 – 0, Lenasia created enough clear chances to at least come away with a share of the spoils. Lenasias poor finishing proved to be their undoing throughout the tournament and their final placing of third might have been higher had they taken the chances that came their way. In the third match of the evening Luso Africa from Joburg comfortable beat Bothasig from Cape Town with Mark Williams the ex South African striker showing that he still has what it takes to knock in the goals.

In the second round of games on Friday Vasco beat a game Ruimsig side who were now feeling the pace of fielding a number of over 40 year old players and the oldest player in the tournament, Henry Rabbi at 62. Luso beat Stephanian Ottery who looked a really good side but struggled to maintain any form of consistency. In the last match of the night Lenasia made heavy weather of beating Bothasig and missed a number of clear opportunities before Neilan Annamaly finally broke the deadlock.

Dinner, lamb on the spit with veggies , salads, rolls and desert was a at the clubhouse and enjoyed by all. Players enjoyed huge helpings and even were able to return for seconds and thirds. Thanks Jannie from Pro Braai for the fantastic meal.

While most of us made our way back to the hotel for a reasonable quite night in, the Bothasig boys decided to hit the Town of George. I was told the next morning that they popped along to the local Sportsman’s café to listen to a live band and then onto a night club called Plush. A good time must have been had by all as it’s reported they only got in at 02h30 the next morning. There is apparently no truth in the rumor that they bumped into the finger wagging PW Botha in the Plush night club.

Saturday saw an early start. Breakfast at the Wilderness beach is a Full Buffet and a top class affair. The first games of the morning kicked off at 09h30. Steps looked good value for money against Vasco and when one nil down were awarded a penalty which they failed to convert and eventually lost the match. On the B field Bothasig took on Ruimsig in what was now becoming a bottom of the table clash and although Ruimsig put up a valiant fight Bothasig were a touch quicker to the ball winning the game. The Lenasia Luso game was an excellent match. Both these top sides struggled however to convert chances and it was only a late strike that saw Luso take the three points.

As the day’s play drew to a close it was evident that both Luso Africa and Vasco were on a collision course for the last match of the day with the winner being crowned champions. The game between these two was a tense affair and played like a final with Luso needing a win to secure top spot while for Vasco a draw would see them through. Between George van der Burg and Carlos dos Neves Vasco managed to tie things up in midfield ensuring Mark Williams was starved of clear chances up front for Luso. While both Ronnie and Supa worked hard in the Luso midfield they paid the price of not having enough depth in numbers to rotate players in the early games and looked to run out of legs as the game progressed. To make matters worse Luso concede a penalty midway through the first half with a clumsy challenge on George van der Burg. In the second half Gavin Fischer finished off a wonderful individual run to secure the game for Vasco.

The Bothasig boys kept us all entertained with their singing throughout the last game and carried this over to the prize giving. They certainly were the most spirited side at the tournament.

Most sides returned to the hotel for the afternoon while Steps decided to enjoy the beautiful surrounds and polish of a few cold ones in the shade of the Outeniqua Mountains. I joined them for a beer and was entertained with stories from the night before. The best involved Bradley Searle, who after having to mark Mark Williams admitted to his room mate that he was afraid to close his eyes that night in case he saw Mark Williams in his sleep.

Back at the hotel Ruimsig decided to keep the barman on his toes as they dug in for the afternoon. Colin Dallas tells me the hotel had to send for reinforcements as he couldn’t cope alone. The Lenasia and Steps boys met on the beach and became best mates over a few beers.

The prize giving and dinner was back at the hotel with prizes being awarded as follows:
• The Crunchie squad was announced. (Any player who performing well below par or doing anything stupid over the two days of football qualifies.) One must feel for Lance Brinders from Bothasig who was nominated by his manager with these words, “He missed a great tournament”

Crunchie side:

• Tarmo – Lenasia
• Bradley Searle - Steps
• Shaun Cable - Steps
• Henry Rabbi – Ruimsig
• Sean Nyman – Bothasig
• Paul Ohlson – Bothasig
• Lance Brinders – Bothasig
• Sylvan Naidoo – Linasia
• Johnny Tennyson – Steps
• Gavin Fischer – Vasco
• Neil Townsend – Tournament director

• Mark Williams picked up the Malcolm Lottering award for missing a penalty.
• The Zinedene Zidane award went to Rocky from Ruimsig for losing his head a couple of times.
• Worst Referees decision went to Gary Slabbert.
• The All Star side (we pick the top players from the weekend who are awarded with a certificate, golf shirt, and free weekend at the hotel for two including dinner bed and breakfast).
1. Grant Harold - Ruimsig
2. Kenny - Vasco
3. Gorra - Lenasia
4. Sebea Rodriguez - Vasco
5. George van der Burg - Vasco
6. Ronnie - Luso
7. Suppa - Luso
8. Gavin Fischer - Vasco
9. Mark Williams - Luso
10. Nielan Annamaly - Lenasia
11. Carlos dos Neves – Vasco

• Player of the tournament – George van der Burg
• Top Goal Scorer – Mark Williams (5 goals)
• Tournament winners for the second year running went to Frank dos Santos and his Vasco side who collected the floating trophy and gold medals.
• Second place went to Joe da Silva’s Luso Africa who collected the silver medals.

Match results:

Steps vs Ruimsig 1-0
Vasco vs Lenasia 3-0
Bothasig vs Luso 1-4
Vasco vs Ruimsig 1-0
Steps vs Luso 0-2
Bothasig vs Lenasia 0-1
Steps vs Vasco 0-3
Bothasig vs Ruimsig 1-0
Lenasia vs Luso 0-1
Bothasig vs Vasco 0-5
Steps vs Lenasia 1-2
Luso vs Ruimsig 2-0
Steps vs Bothasig 1-3
Ruimsig vs Lenasia 1-3
Vasco vs Luso 2-0

Final Log Placing

The highlight of the evening was the R4,500.00 collected by the teams for The Moreson children’s home. Six of these kids served as ball boys over the weekend and although we paid them for this it was a wonderful gesture from the players to raise this sort of cash for the home. A big thank you to all those who donated money and especially Frankie of Vasco, Colin and the Ruimsig boys, Joe, Tony and Mark from Luso. Our intention is to get in touch with the home and find out exactly what their needs are and if we can raise some more money at the over 40 tournament we want to ad this to the amount already collected and buy them something worthwhile.

From SA Sports Tours a big thank you to all captains and managers for getting your sides together and to the players it was wonderful to meet all of you and make new friends. I look forward to catching up with all of you next year.

Dale.

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