Richards Bay and Marumo Gallants played out a goalless stalemate in their DStv Premiership clash at King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The result sees the Natal Rich Boyz move to the top of the log (temporarily, at least) with four points from two matches, as they built upon their promising opening win away to Golden Arrows this past weekend.
As for Bahlabane ba Ntwa, they are also unbeaten after recording a second successive 0-0 draw (they were held at home by Stellenbosch in the opening round) and placed fifth on the standings with two points.
The opening quarter of the match saw the teams essentially cancel each other out. Gallants enjoyed more of the ball, but found space in the final third hard to come by, while Bay offered a threat on the counter attack through the speed of Katleho Makateng and Somila Ntsundwana but created no clear chances.
The first notable effort on goal arrived in the 23rd minute when the hosts’ Moses Mthembu latched onto a knockdown and fired a long-range volley toward the bottom corner of the net, but Marumo goalkeeper Washington Arubi made a fine save diving low to his left.
The Zimbabwean shot stopper was at his best again late in the first half, this time diving to his right to turn away a goal-bound shot direct from a free kick by the Natal Rich Boyz’s Mpho Mathebula, ensuring the interval arrived with the teams still locked at 0-0.
The start of the second half saw changes from both sides, with Ndiviwe Mdabuka replacing Mthembu for Bay, while Gallants swapped out Monde Mphambaniso and Sibusiso Sibeko for Lesiba Nku and Celimpilo Ngema.
The hosts continued to look the more dangerous team in attack, but chances to further test out Arubi dried up, as Bahlabane ba Ntwa closed the space between their defensive and midfield lines, forcing Bay to rush their build-up play.
Gallants gradually regained dominance of possession and began to string together some fine passing movements around the midway point of the second half, though Bay goalkeeper Jamal Salim Magoola continued to have a quiet match.
The remainder of the action fizzled out, with neither side able to mount any real pressure in the dying minutes, and ultimately both settled for a share of the spoils.
These teams will return to DStv Premiership action on Saturday 13 August, with Gallants hosting Golden Arrows at Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Bay will welcome Sekhukhune United at King Zwelithini Stadium.
