Bosch's last-gasp win
Hosts Rondebosch Boys’ High School scored with two minutes remaining to beat the South African College High School (SACS) 28-22. The match was played in warm and sunny conditions and although the match had an exciting end both teams would not have been happy with their skills levels on the day.
SACS started well but crucially failed to convert their early pressure into points. Wing Damian Rawstorne made a great break after plucking a high ball from the air but a few phases later when the ball came to him with an open line he dropped it! SACS also missed a penalty during this early period of play.
When Rondebosch seized the ball they broke out of their own half with a searing run from their Craven Week flank, Zain Davids, whom they selected at centre on the day. The move broke down near the SACS line but Rondebosch won a penalty which they converted.
Rondebosch dropped both their first two kick-off receipts and SACS again went on the offensive. A strong maul was followed by a flat pass to flyhalf Jordan Chait who beat his man to score. He converted his own try.
In what became a telling theme in the game SACS then also failed to adequately clear their lines from the kickoff. Rondebosch capitalised, built pressure and closed the gap to one point.
Chait kicked another penalty soon after but followed that up with a poor clearance from the kick-off receipt. Rondebosch fullback Riley Louw exploited the heavies in the SACS chase line and cut them open. A few phases later scrumhalf and captain Mark Thompson darted over to leave the score 13-10 to the hosts at halftime.
Rondebosch started the second half brightly and extended their lead when after another strong run, this time from wing Clyde Martch the forwards drove the ball on and flank Jamie King scored an unconverted try in the corner.
SACS fullback Ciaran Dayaram had a great run up the left which led to a string of penalties which SACS tapped and ran. Like his Rondebosch counterpart SACS scrumhalf and captain Michael Henning also nipped in on the side of a ruck to score. With thirteen minutes remaining the score was 18-17 to Rondebosch. Strong running and poor tackling again from Davids exposed the SACS defence and the hosts converted another penalty soon after to extend their lead.
SACS centre Keagan de Villiers finished the game strongly and from one of his rampaging runs SACS scored via wing Damian Rawstorne to take the lead at 22-21 with eight minutes to go.
Crucially SACS now dropped the kickoff and hacked the ball into touch inside their own quarter. Rondebosch mauled strongly and began a succession of pick-and go’s near the SACS line. Probing left and right they continued to ask questions of a tiring SACS defence until No.8 Liam Greenhalgh crashed over with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Rondebosch were able to control the final kickoff and from the ensuing ruck cleared their lines to grab an exciting and important win.
Scorers:
For Rondebosch Boys’ High:
Tries: Marrk Thompson, Jamie King, Liam Greenhalgh
Conversions: Jean Naude, Yaseen Jacobs
Penalties: Jean Naude 3
For SACS:
Tries: Michael Henning, Damian Rawstorne, Jordan Chait
Conversions: Jordan Chait 2
Penalty: Jordan Chait
