Affies stay in the hunt

Michelin Series heading into quarter-finals

The defending Michelin Series champion, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria, is still in line to qualify for the quarter-final of this competition after beating Ermelo Hoërskool 33 -16 in Pretoria on Friday afternoon.

The home side ran up a 14-0 lead after only 15 minutes.  This period proved to be their best of the game.  They applied continuous pressure on the Ermelo try-line and they were rewarded with two tries by stand-out lock Cornell Hess.  The Affie forwards were in a dominant mood and the third try came from flanker Marco Louw  pouncing on a loose ball after Ermelo could once again not control a ball at scrum time.  The rest of the first half saw the Wit Bulle squander countless opportunities with the Ermelo try-line at their mercy. 

The home team went into the break 21-3 up, and promise of a good win loomed.

The second half was a huge disappointment.  Affies had a surfeit of possession, but more handling errors than one would expect at this level proved to be the trademark of the second half.  Ermelo must receive credit, though, for the way they pounced on these errors to stay within striking distance. 

Affies will definitely have to lift their game a few notches before they tackle the big guns in the knock-out stages of a competition they have traditionally dominated.  

Scorers:

For Affies:
Tries: Cornell Hess (lock) 2, Marco Louw (flank), Danie Faasen (scrumhalf), Ruan Jacobs (centre).  Cons: Gerhard van den Heever (fullback) 4

For Ermelo:
Try: Jaco Otto (flank)
Con: Deon Pruis (flyhalf)
Pens: Deon Pruis 3

Other scores:

Under-16A: Affies won 27-12
Under-15A: Affies won 43-3
Under-14A: Affies won 41-5