KES beat Jeppe in FNB Classic
Match report
King Edward VII went over to Jeppe for Johannesburg's big schools clash and beat them 12-0 in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.
The following report is from KES:
King Edward VII took to the field the calmer and more focused of the two sides amidst the build-up and hype that precedes an classic clash. This allowed them to get off to the best start that they could have hoped for by scoring within the first three minutes.
KES attacked Jeppe using their backs with a well executed blindside move off a centre-field scrum. This allowed the KES winger a fraction of space to beat his opposing wing and attack the fullback. He committed the fullback and sent a well-placed kick ahead allowing the King Edward's chasing backs to pounce on a loose ball in the Jeppe dead-ball area.
The try was scored by the flyhalf Julian Smit but was created by the efforts of the team. Richard Cameron added the two extra points from the touchline and KES were ahead 7-0.
Minutes later KES were on the scoreboard again.
A long range penalty effort from the half-way line rebounded off the upright and was collected by the KES tighthead prop Andrew Maziwana doing some good follow up work. The ruck was established and King Edward’s hit up again. The ball emerged to Maziwana again, who drew both defenders and managed to offload to the winger John Maleka who did a good job finishing in the corner, 12-0.
And this is how the score-line stayed in a fiercely contested battle.
Jeppe’s two attempts at poles by flyhalf Brendan Gittens, normally so accurate, were squandered. The game in the first half was just not allowed to flow by the referee, who continually stopped the rucks or mauls to restart with a scrum.
The second half began as ferociously as the first but King Edward’s with the points on the board defended their line. The second half followed the first with a number of scrums and delays. The ball was just not allowed to emerge from the rucks by the referee. Both teams made attempts to convert penalties in the second half but both kickers seemed to have lost the knack.
There was little ball for the backs of either side to use and coupled with good solid defence the score-line was destined to stay at 12-0.
King Edward managed to contain a well-motivated Jeppe side to record their first win in a number of games. KES showed the calmer attitude on the day and got on with playing rugby which saw them come out winners.
Scorers:
For King Edward VII School:
Tries: Julian Smit, John Maleka
Con: Richard Cameron
Teams:
Jeppe: 15 Scott Parker, 14 Dario Matteucci, 13 Chris Jansen van Rensburg, 12 Sakhele Tshabalala, 11 Ryan Crofts, 10 Brendan Gittins (captain), 9 Fatuwani Rasivhenge, 8 Tyler Piper, 7 Michael Blake, 6 Tyrell Stevens, 5 Damian Forbes, 4 Jarryd Thompson (vice-captain), 3 Thabo Motsoeneng, 2 Ryan Odendaal, 1 Dijon Torres
Replacements: 16 Alex Thomson, 17 Ricardo Roque, 18 Stefano Persi, 19 Cole Renault, 20 Sandile Dube, 21 Michael Kupferberg, 22 Floyd Lebatie, 23 Lerato Suping
King Edward VII: 15 Curran Hitge, 14 Lebogang Moletsane, 13 Nicholas Shelver, 12 Richard Cameron, 11 John Maleka, 10 Julian Smit, 9 Grant Pratt, 8 Matthew van Zyl (captain), 7 Gareth Thomas, 6 Sean Kolarik, 5 Gladwyn Leeu, 4 Byron Leggett, 3 Andrew Maziwana, 2 Dylan Gordon, 1 Darren Lavery.
Date: 31 July 2004
Venue: Collard Field, Jeppe High School for Boys
Referee: Marius Janse van Rensburg
By Steve Hill
