EP Schools Rugby for 6 June
Schools rugby in the Eastern Province continues to be of great interest, much of it long-standing rivalry.
Fresh from two successful outings against a pair of old rivals, Grey High face yet another challenging fixture when they take on the combative Dale outfit in a schools rugby encounter in Kingwilliamstown on Saturday, 6 June 2015.
Both teams have lost just two games this season, while the only common team they have faced are Queen's, whom Dale beat 29-19 and Grey defeated 46-13.
On their home field, Dale are always a potent force and their slick backline will test Grey's defences to the full. The visitors, though, are no slouches themselves when it comes attacking, but they will need to tighten their defence after letting St Andrew's in for three tries last week.
Since beating Grey in 1999, Dale have had scant success against their PE rivals, winning only once since then, in King in 2011. But that will have no bearing on Saturday in a match which could go down to the wire.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, one of the major Uitenhage-PE rivalries takes place at Die Brandwag where the home side host Framesby at 12.30.
Neither side have unblemished seasons, but Brandwag have built a decent run of four wins in the last month and they will be tough to beat at home. They have established themselves as the leading Uitenhage side this year and will want to show they can handle their PE rivals as well.
Framesby held on well to defeat Marlow last weekend and will need to deliver another consistent effort, limiting their errors, to have a chance of putting a dent in Brandwag's run.
After tough encounters against Selborne and Grey High, St Andrew's have another searching test when they take on Queen's at the Rec field in Queenstown. However, the Andreans showed excellent spirit in last week's loss to Grey and if they can perform with the same determination this weekend, they have a chance of putting a smile on their supporters' faces.
Victoria Park's good season will be tested by Otto du Plessis at VP, while in Grahamstown Graeme face an equally difficult encounter against Nico Malan.
Saturday's fixtures, subject to change, are (11.30am start unless stated, home teams first):
Ndzondelelo vs Arcadia
Cathcart vs Adelaide Gym
Die Brandwag vs Framesby (12.30)
Kirkwood vs Cillie
Dale vs Grey High (14.45)
Graeme vs Nico Malan (14.00)
Victoria Park vs Otto du Plessis
Pearson vs Woodridge (12.30)
Westering vs Port Alfred
Queen's vs St Andrew's (14.30)
Kingswood vs Stirling (13.30)
By Neale Emslie
