MATCH REPORT
ST ALBAN’S MORE CLINICAL AS THEY DEFEAT THE GOLDEN LIONS PRESIDENTIAL XV 28-12
St Alban’s managed to make it two wins out of two, when they took on the Golden Lions Presidential XV in the first game of day 2 at the St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival. The boys managed to score at the stroke of full-time, to beat the Lions 28-12 in the end, in a game that was played in great spirit from both sides.
The game saw St Alban’s quickly get onto the scoreboard, thanks to a great effort from their forwards, which resulted in Ronan McDonald crashing over from close range, which flyhalf Thabang Mogadime converted comfortably. The Lions still looked to find a way into the game, but it was St Alban’s who struck again, this time through the energetic scrumhalf Josh Strydom, who wormed his way through the Lions defensive line for a converted try to take the score to 14-0.
Just after the 20 minute mark, the Lions finally found a gap and winger Llewelyn Ellis galloped down the touchline, out-running a few defenders on his way to dotting down under the poles. Flyhalf Keegan Van Schalkwyk added the extra 2 points to see the sides go into half time at 14-7 to St Alban’s.
The second period of play saw St Alban’s really get a  proper grip on the game, crossing the whitewash twice, whilst the Lions could only manage one try towards the end through speedster Kwanele Notyawe.
The hooter sounded with St Alban’s scoring and running out 28-12 winners against the Lions side that put in the effort but just never quite managed to match St Alban’s.
Â
MATCH REPORT
FLORIDA DO THE BUSINESS IN EPIC 31-5 WIN OVER EYE OF THE TIGER
In a match that was tightly contested in the first half ending 5-5, Hoerskool Florida put in a big shift in the second half to come out 31-5 winners against Eye of the Tiger. Hoerskool Florida this time made sure they secured the victory after narrowly losing out to HTS Daniel Pienaar on day 1.
The first half was a really tight contest, with there being very little difference between the two teams. Eye of the tiger however did get the first points on the board, when winger Keanu Martin sliced through the Florida defence to touch down in the corner, which Sifiso Nhlapo failed to convert. With the score at 5-0, Florida had to dig deep and Martins’ opposite number Lizo Larakwang did what was expected of him, when he dashed past defenders to score a lovely try to level matters at 5-5, with the conversion attempt unfortunately going adrift. The Eye of the tiger there after looked exciting but couldn’t turn opportunities into points, which eventually led to both sides having to settle for the stalemate going into the break.
The second half saw the Eye of the tiger defence that was so present in the first half, fade away very quickly when Florida outside centre Brandon Roberts found a way through to give his side the lead with an unconverted try. The try from Roberts then set the tone for the rest of the game, as Florida ran a further 3 converted tries, with no reply from Eye of the tiger, seeing the game finish 31-5.
MATCH REPORT
NELSPRUIT WIN 29-17 IN SEESAW BATTLE WITH ST DAVID’S
In the third game of day 2 at the St John’s College Easter rugby festival, Hoerskool Nelspruit managed to hold off St David’s and record their first victory of the festival so far.
St David’s got the scoreboard ticking first in the game, when they were awarded a penalty just outside the Nelspruit 22m area in front of the poles, which fly half Marcell Scheepers sent through the sticks to give his school an early 3-0 lead. It however did not take Nelspruit long, to hit back with a try from inside centre Stefan Smit, to cut the deficit to just 2 points after Tiaan Du Plessis failed to convert. After that, the game was evenly poised but Nelspruit did manage to get another try before half time, taking the score to 12-3 after a conversion from the corner from Du Plessis.
When the players returned to the playing patch, the crowd were given an entertaining half of rugby, with St David’s getting their first try in the game, a few minutes into the half. Nelspruit also quickly hit back with two converted tries of their own, which kept the scoreboard pressure on St davids at 24-10. Before the final whistle sounded, both teams scored a try each to finish off a seesaw battle, with Nelspruit coming out on top 29-17.
MATCH REPORT
HELPMEKAAR CLINCH VITAL 33-19 VICTORY OVER WINDHOEK GYM
Helpmekaar fought well to earn their second victory of the tournament in as many games, when they clinched a well deserved 33-19 victory against Namibia’s Windhoek gymnasium.
The match up got underway with Helpmekaar making their intentions known very quickly, when they scored two tries, taking a good 12 point lead, with flyhalf Frans Weideman only missing the first conversion attempt. Windhoek eventually got a converted try of their own, when flanker Leon Mostert barged his way over to keep his side within touching distance of Helpmekaar. With the score at 12-7, Windhoek knew they would have to be the next ones to get on the scoreboard but it was Helpmekaar, who extended their lead to 19-7 going into the interval, courtesy of winger Christiaan Bezuidenhout with Weideman converting.
The second period of play didn’t start well for Windhoek but not for Bezuidenhout, who grabbed his second of the match, which took the score to 26-7 after the conversion. Windhoek eventually broke and got a 5 pointer for themselves that saw them look for a late come back. In the end however it wasn’t to be, as Helpmekaar cruised to a 33-19 win.
Â
MATCH REPORT
BIG 68-5 WIN FOR PAUL ROOS OVER HTS DANIEL PIENAAR
Paul Roos put in yet another great performance, to absolutely dominate HTS Daniel Pienaar from start to finish, eventually coming out 68-5 winners after the game got cut short.
Paul Roos got a great start in the game, scoring within the first 5 minutes of the match getting underway. This really paved the way for the manner in which their afternoon would fair. The boys all the way from Stellenbosch played outstanding rugby, eventually running in 7 tries, going into the break with a more than healthy lead of 47-0. One of the highlights the half, were also Paul Roos’ fly half Juan Mostert who converted 6 out of 7 conversions.
The second half the saw much of the same from Paul Roos, where they completely dominated the physical battles, territory and possession. Daniel Pienaar did however get a consolation try towards the end. The try didn’t even dent the Paul Roos lead, as they ran in a further 3 converted tries, with Mostert accumulating 21 points off the boot, leading Paul Roos to another massive win at the St John’s College Easter rugby festival.
Â
MATCH REPORT
HILTON LEAVE IT LATE TO STUN ST JOHN’S 15-12.
The much anticipated final game on day 2, between St John’s College and Hilton College did not disappoint the spectators, as they remained on the edge of their seats right until the final whistle. Hilton College in the end however managed to edge the hosts inside the last 5 minutes, with a great try by their forwards to clip the game 15-12.
The match was always bound to be a tough, bruising encounter between these two old age rivals, but it was not surprising when St John’s got the scoreboard running first, after they were awarded a penalty which fullback Ruben Engelbrecht converted with ease to give his side a slender 3-0 lead. In a match filled with so much emotions, there were bound to be infringements here and there. St John’s then conceded a penalty in a good enough zone to go for points. Hilton scrumhalf Gareth Schreuder stepped in and made no mistake, leveling the score at 3-3. The hosts then hit back almost immediately, after they were awarded a penalty which Engelbrecht sent through the uprights, to take the score to 6-3 in favour of St John’s at the break.
The second half still saw an incredibly close contest, with St John’s again like in the first half getting on the scoreboard first, thanks to a converted penalty again by Engelbrecht. Hilton then finally rose to the occasion, with winger Robbie Mc Gaw slipping through the St John’s defence to dive over and bring the score to 9-8 after Schreuders’ failed attempt. St John’s then quickly added to their 1 point lead, when they managed to get another penalty through the sticks taking the score to 12-8. Inside the last 5 minutes of the encounter, Hilton had the last say, when they barged over at the death from close range to break St John’s hearts and secure a memorable hard fought 15-12 victory over the home side.
