Richards Bay open their new season, registering a hard fought 1-0 victory over a dominant TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday. 

The game took a steady start for both teams with either side playing patient build-up into the opposite side and trying to find the attackers using through balls between the half spaces in the first few minutes. 

More and more pressure was applied by the Rockets as the fist half progressed. Bay was pushed further and further towards their own half, with the defence being forced into making errors that almost saw them concede a goal. 

Out of the blue, the Natal Rich boys took the lead in the 22^ndminute. Defender, Keagan Allan rose the highest to beat the goalkeeper with his precise header from a dead ball situation. 

Richards Bay midfielder Sithemba Sithebe went down on a cramp, clutching his groin while running for the ball in the 37^th minute. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder was subsequently stretchered off the field and replaced by Moses Mthembu. 

Continuing to absorb the Galaxy pressure, Richards Bay held on to their lead until the end of the first half, with the referee blowing his whistle with the game sitting at 1-0

With the Rockets excessively going at the Bay defense in the second half, coach Brandon Truter looked to give his side some energy introducing fresh legs in the 60^th minute. Tlakusani Mthethwa, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Gumede were introduced in place of Langelihle Mhlongo, Thabang Sibanyoni, and Thabisa Ndelu. 

In response to the technical changes, the Galaxy bench also introduced Siphesihle Maduna in place of Sphiwe Mahlangu and Nkosikhona Radebe replaced Kamogelo Sebelebele. 

Despite possessing minimal ball possession, the Natal Rich Boys held on to their lead, constantly making critical interceptions and blocking shots from the back line. The Mpumalanga side kept knocking with no answers having only taken a single shot on target in the second half with 90 minutes having come and gone. The Bay’s victory was watched by Phakwe Gas CEO Thabiso Tenyane, who pledged by injecting R100 million for three seasons.

All the ball possession and statistical dominance proved to be all in vein with for TS Galaxy with Richards Bay taking home all three points after it was all said and done at Umlazi