FNB Top 20 - 4 May

The matches around Labour Day have produced a lot of labour for those doing the FNB Top 20 for there have been shake-ups.

It is especially tough at the top – not the first two as both Grey College and Affies had huge wins, but below that. The schools are all so close that it made the task difficult, especially as room had to be found for Bishops after wins over Paarl Boys’ High and Paul Roos who were well above them.

The strength of the opposition counts and merits reward.

Other features of the week were Nelspruit’s big win and the return to form of Marlow with a win over Boland Landbou in Cradock.

Just one cautionary note: please, people, disagree and criticise to you heart’s content. That is why we allow comment and we do not want to stifle free speech, but at the same time do not give in to personal nonsense, puerile and nasty comment.

Then, too, try to keep things in proportion. We are talking about games that schoolchildren play, a part of the whole package of their education. A part of playing games is learning sportsmanship – to accept your fate, losing as though you have won and winning as though you have lost. If we again have to revisit a match that was played weeks ago with more accusations and wild statements, we shall remove them. It spoils the fun for lots of other people.

This week we have had a close look at some not in the FNB Top 20 – especially Eldoraigne, Michaelhouse, Die Brandwag of Uitenhage, Nelspruit, Marlow, EG Jansen, Jim Fouché of Bloemfontein and Outeniqua, who are prepared to take on top sides.

FNB Top 20 – 4 May:

1. Grey College (Bloemfontein)

2. Affies

3. Paarl Boys’ High

4. Bishops

5. Paul Roos

6. Monument

7. Paarl Gim

8. St Andrew’s (Grahamstown)

9. Glenwood

10. Waterkloof

11. Westville

12. Boland Landbou

13. Diamantveld

14. Ben Vorster

15. Grey High (PE)

16. Florida

17. Selborne

18. KES

19. Queen’s College

20. Dale