Bishops win in the seventies again
Match Report
Earlier this season Bishops beat Rondebosch 71-3 in an FNB Classic Clash at Rondebosch. This time they won 75-22 at Bishops.
It is the second highest score by Bishops against Rondebosch for in 2003 they won 78-19.
By half-time the scored had already reached 47-3, and then the second half lacked the intensity of the first. Every now and again Bishops would have a short hard burst and then settle back to playing a rugby-related game of their own. And in that second half Rondebosch, not known this year for scoring tries, scored three tries, that against Bishops, not known this year for leaking tries. Scoring a try and then two and then three – lifted Rondebosch spirits, which was a good thing in terms of the match and in terms of rivalry between the two schools which has usually been close.
Before the match the big Bishops support group, spurred on by people in fancy dress, sang forth The World in Union. It was a really warm, windless spring day at Bishops with a massive crowd several deep around the field. There was little doubt who would win.
Rondebosch attacked first and scored first when Matthew Russell goaled a penalty. That was as close as Rondebosch came to victory as Bishops, with Nic Köster in the van, took over.
A break by Köster led to a try by Adrian Kritzinger, the brilliant Bishops centre. 7-3.
Two penalties to Bishops gave them an attacking line-out from which they bashed till Köster scored his first try of the sunny morning. 12-3.
From the kick-off Bishops attacked again and Köster through a brilliant 20-metre pass infield with his left hand. Rondebosch defended well but Bishops went left, right and left again till there were no more defenders and hooker Dasch Barber scored. 19-3.
When Craig Jordens chipped flank Michael Morris raced ahead before giving to lock Jeff van Breda, who scored. 26-3.
From the kick-off Rondebosch were penalised. Bishops tapped and Kritzinger ran 60 metres to score. 33-3. From the kick-off Bishops ran straight down the field for Cian van der Vyver to score under the posts. 40-3.
At this stage Rondebosch were weary, dejected trudgers on the rugby field and the half was not over. They plodded up to the half-way line and then somebody was in front of the kicker. From the subsequent scrum Kritzinger did the unusual – he kicked. It was a chip kick and the next moment Van der Vyver was over for another try. That brought half-time. In a short period of play Rondebosch had had the ball to kick off while Bishops had scored four tries, 18 points.
It looked as if the procession would continue. Bishops kicked off to start the second half, won the ball and sent Köster over for a try. 54-3.
Then suddenly Rondebosch trained. They went on the attack as Bishops played around near their own line. Flyhalf Russell did a scissors with inside centre Zubayer Abrahams who was strong enough to force his away over near the posts. 54-10.
Bishops went straight back on the attach and from 35 metres out Köster raced over for his third try. 61-10.
Again Bishops went back to playing gamies near their own line. A penalty to Rondebosch produced a five-metre line-out. Bishops won the ball in the line-out and a ruck formed at their line. They worked the ball back but when it got to their line clever eighthman Nicholas Sheard stuck his hand on the ball for the try. 61-17.
Bishops kicked off. Van Breda made the running and Köster scored his fourth try. 68-17, the second Bishops player to score four tries in a match this term. Mathew Turner did it against SACS.
Rondebosch attacked but knocked on and Mathew Turner raced through for a try which he converted as he had done on all but one occasion. 75-17.
Rondebosch had the last say in the match – more of a wry grin than a laugh. They won a turn-over from the kickoff and left wing Shafiek Nordien ran strongly for as try in the left corner.
This match brought the curtain down on the season, a sad one for Rondebosch, a joyous one for Bishops.
Scorers:
For Bishops:
Tries: Adrian Kritzinger 2, Nic Köster 3, Dasch Barber, Cian van der Vyver, 2 Jeff van Breda 2, Mathew Turner
Cons: Mathew Turner 10
For Rondebosch:
Tries: Zubayer Abrahams, Nicholas Sheard, Shafiek Nordien
Cons: Matthew Russell 2
Pen: Matthew Russell
Teams:
Bishops: 15 Leigh Bruinders, 14 Michael Nel, 13 Adrian Kritzinger (captain), 12 Cian van der Vyver, 11 Mathew Turner, 10 Craig Jordens, 9 Jason Scott, 8 Nick Köster, 7 Michael Morris, 6 Callan Artus, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Jeff van Breda, 3 Lyall Bluett, 2 Dasch Barber, 1 Wesley Chetty.
Coach: André Jacobs, Wayne Sudding
Rondebosch: 15 Shareef Ismail, 14 Daizaan Edries, 13 André Lubbe, 12 Zubayer Abrahams, 11 Shafiek Nordien, 10 Matthew Russell, 9 Graeme Staegmann, 8 Nicholas Sheard, 7 Travis Smithard, 6 Jarryd Buratovich (captain), 5 Simon Miszewski, 4 Shane Mullis, 3 James Melrose, 2 Ryan Fuller, 1 Shawn Dyson.
Coach: Leon Erasmus, M van Rheede
Referee: Piet Kuun (Western Province Referees' Society)
