Celebrations for Erries
Hoërskool Hoogenhout were certainly good opposition for Hoërskool Ermelo in the FNB Classic Clash in Ermelo on Saturday. In fact Hoogies scored first and led 12-10 at half-time but the Erries ruled the second half and won 24-12. It was a match that either side could have won.
For Erries the victory was all the sweeter because of was part of their centenary celebrations, and celebrate they certainly did.
There were large numbers of boys and girls from each school, all in their uniforms, all excited and when the final whistle blew they flooded the field to praise their heroes.
Both sides had outstanding eighthmen – Pieter Bekker of Ermelo and Philani Nkosi of Hoogenhout, both tall, rangy men, both skilled. In fact Pieter Bekker was the major scorer of points for Ermelo, 14 out of 24. He carried, he defended, he won the line-out, he did the kicking duties – a great all-round performance.
Hoogenhout kicked off, Erries kicked back and Hoogies ran in counterattack. The first ball that Erries got they, too ran. This was the way of the match. There was one chip which led to a try, penalty kicks at touch to attack, and kicks out of defence. It was a running game. The first penalty in the match came after 11 minutes, for the referee gave the teams every chance to do what they clearly wanted to do – run with the ball.
Erries came close to scoring when flyhalf Tapiwa Mafura stepped brilliantly and seemed certain to score but lost the ball forward. He did this twice more in the match.
Instead Hoogies scored first and they did so off a horrible pass that acted benignly. Flyhalf Tapiwa Mafura passed to his right but the ball skidded along the ground till it relented and stood up perfectly for left wing Ashley Methula who ran at full speed onto the bouncing ball and sped down to left for a try which he converted. 7-0 after 14 minutes.
When Hoogies were penalised at a tackle, Pieter Bekker goaled. 7-3. From an Erries' scrum on the right, they went left and then switched direction, going right to Pieter Bekker who raced through to score a try which he converted. 10-7 to Erries' after 29 minutes.
When Erries scored a group of shirtless boys dyed green ran up and did pushups on celebration.
Hoogies went on the attack and Pietman Erasmus charged ahead to set his side on the attack. Philani Nkosi picked up and sprinted away from one and then through two for a try. 12-10 to Hoogies after 33 minutes, which was the half-time score.
Pieter Bekker won a line-out for Erries. They mauled and were over the line but held up. From the five-metre scrum Ashley Methula broke but lost the ball at the line. Then from a scrum to Erries on the left Ashley Methula went right and chipped. The ball bounced but either of the Erries centres could have scored a try credited to JG Serfontein. Erries led 17-12 after 43 minutes.
Hoogies attacked with Pietman Erasmus again prominent. They had a penalty in front of the posts six metres or so from the line. They tapped in search of a try but the defence held.
Ruben Lello of Hoogies counterattacked at length and at speed.
At the other end Ashley Mafura darted and went for the line – and again lost the ball.
Hoogies threw in skew at a line-out and Erries opted for a line-out instead of the scrum. They mauled for some 10 metres and Jooste Minable fell down for the try.
Erries attacked again but lost the ball on the Hoogies line.
The final whistle was a signal for supporters to run, skip and dance their way onto the field.
It was an entertaining match on a day of sunshine and clear blue skies.
Scorers:
For Ermelo:
Tries: Pieter Bekker, JG Serfontein, Jooste Minable
Cons: Pieter Bekker 3
Pen: Pieter Bekker
For Hoogenhout:
Tries: Ashley Methula, Philani Nkosi
Con: Ashley Methula
Teams
Hoogenhout: 15 Teboho Gina, 14 Johan Pretorius, 13 Bongani Phangisa, 12 Russel Baloyi, 11 Ashley Methula, 10 Ruben Lello, 9 Vuyo Shabangu, 8 Philani Nkosi, 7 Pietman Erasmus, 6 Francois de Wet, 5 Louis Fourie, 4 Carel Wessels (captain), 3 Dylan Henegan, 2 Gerhard Pieterse, 1 Jaco Kriek
Replacements: 16 Armand Reynecke, 17 Waldo Botma, 18 Wiehan Steyn, 19 Dillan Booyens, 20 Louis Theron, 21 Nico Britz, 22 Shaun Jacobs, 23 Franco Oosthuizen
Ermelo: 15. Danie Kruger, 14. Louwtjie Oosthuizen, 13. Ndumiso Jele, 12. JG Serfontein, 11. Leon Nkosi, 10. Tapiwa Mafura, 9. Alec McIntyre, 8. Pieter Bekker, 7. JT Erlank, 6. Daniël Visser (captain), 5. Dewald Bothma, 4. Karl-Heinz Dedekind, 3. Carel Combrink, 2. Marco Grobler, 1. Stephen Corbitt
Replacements: 16. Juandré Muller, 17. Charl Kotze, 18. Manelisi Mdaka, 19. Jooste Nienaber, 20. Connie van Niekerk, 21. Leon Visser, 22. Siyabonga Makhubu, 23. Khela Jele, 24. Pascal Mahlangu
Coach: Koos de Jager
Referee: Stefan Breytenbach (Mpumalanga Referees' Society)
Assistant referees: Jaco Fourie (Mpumalanga Referees' Society), Pieter Blom (Mpumalanga Referees' Society)
