Alexandria Far Too Strong in Classic Clash
Alexandria is a small town beyond Port Elizabeth in an area of chicory and pineapples, and two schools, which met on Friday afternoon in an FNB Classic Clash.
Alexandria High Schools was founded in 1837, which makes it one of the oldest schools in South Africa. Ukanyo Secondary school was founded in 1987, and on this Friday afternoon found ouboet far too big, tall, fast and strong, for Alexandra won the interschools encounter 61-3, 11 tries to nil on the sunny, but windy day.
The match was stopped 10 minutes early -0 at a time when Ukanyo were suffering a spate of injuries.
The two teams, resplendent in their bright jerseys – red for Alexandria and blues for Ukanyo. They lined up for the singing of anthems, led by an excellent choir and to greet dignitaries.
Both teams were keen to run with the ball, but the taller, heavier, more co-ordinated Alexandra boys had by far the most possession and with it more territory and better opportunities.
The score would have been much higher if Alexandria had taken kicking conversions more seriously. They rotated kickers and the drop kick was often used, only once successfully.
The wind was strong and behind Ukanyo in the first half. They kicked off and from the start it was obvious that both sides wanted to run with the ball. Handling too often went awry, especially for Alexandria who had lots, lots more possession.
The first try came from a lineout inside Alexandria’s half, quick ball that went scrumhalf-flyhalf-inside centre, and Sihle Mendile broke and raced over 50 metres for his try near the posts. It was the first of a hat-trick, each one necessitating a 50-metre run.
The second try was a bit of sleight of hand. Alexandria had an attacking scrum on their left. Scrumhalf Ndiphe Qwele put the ball in on the side of Ukanyo’s loosehead. Alexandria heeled quickly. Eighthman Lucian Milborrow picked up and raced over on the short side for a try in the left corner.
Good handling saw Cress well Sampson speeding down the tight wing for a try in the right corner, and then Mendile scored his second and for the first time it was converted as scrumhalf Qwele goaled.
The half-time score was 22-3.
In the 25 minutes of the second half, Alexandria scored 39 points, such was their domination. At one stage they scored a succession of three tries, punctuated only by two Ukanyo kick-offs.
There was a remarkable try when Ukanyo aimed a long kick at goal. The kick barely reached the Alexandria 22. Alexandria kicked downfield where Luchiano Douglas gathered the bouncing ball and raced off for a try in the right corner.
The match was broadcast live by SuperSport.
FNB deserve many plaudits for what they did and the manner of their doing it.
Scorers
For Alexandria:
Tries: Sihle Mendile 3, Lucian Milborrow 2, Cress well Sampson 3, Migael Cannon, Luchiano Douglas, Breyton Stemele
Cons: Ndiphe Qwele, Cresswell Sampson 2
For Ukanya:
Pen: Emhile Sokutu
Teams
Ukanya: 15 Melumzi Bless, 14 Sive Jokani, 13 Siyabonga Dokwana, 12 Aviwe Mcopele, 11 Siviwe Sikani (captain), 10 Emhile Sokutu, 9 Andile Vetman, 8 Onathi Mgoduka, 7 Ansile Sokutu, 6 Ben Phillip, 5 Luthando Nkonjane, 4 Sip[hiwe Kase, 3 Luvo Ntseta, 2 Aviwe Maldeaki, 1 Sino Gongqoba
Alexandria: 15 Elisandro King, 14 Fabian van Rensburg, 13 Cresswell Sampson, 12 Sihle Mendile, 11 Luchiano Douglas, 10 Edmin Lesley, 9 Ndiphe Qwele, 8 Lucian Milborrow, 7 Luke Hillier (captain), 6 Braden Jacobs, 5 Billy Kettledas, 4 Keegan Hutchinson, 3 Migael Cannon, 2 Selwynb King, 1 Silindokuhle Nkinqana
Referee: Dylan Alkaster (Eastern Province Referees’ Society)
Assistant referees: Riaan Maarman (Eastern Province Referees’ Society), Bevan Armoed (Eastern Province Referees’ Society)
