Graeme defeat St.Andrew's in thriller

 

The last time the host's won a 1st XV encounter was in 2007.  The match started at a fast pace and the St Andrew’s team did not take long before scoring the opening try through their fullback, Grant Dixie, after going wide from a set-piece scrum.  

 

This was converted by flyhalf Anthony Dakin to give St.Andrew's a 7-0 lead.  

 

The Graeme team launched an attack down the short-side from a scrum. This was kicked ahead by right wing Yiva Ndwandwa which he regathered to score Graeme’s first try.  Kicker and flank Ntsika Ndungane unfortunately was not able to convert. The score was now  5-7. 

 

St Andrew’s College used the wind to their advantage in the first half and were able to win the territorial battle through the brilliance of their kicking game.  

 

Graeme conceded a penalty in their 22 metre from a silly infringement at the ruck which gave Dakin another opportunity to convert.  The visitors were now 10– 5 up and were starting to show their dominance in most facets of play.  

 

Later, another penalty was converted by Dakin to give them a 13–5 lead.  Centre Matthew More finished from a wonderful midfield linebreak and scored under the poles.  This was converted by Dakin to bring the score to 20–5.  After a final surge from the Graeme team the half-time whistle went with the score still at 5 – 20.

 

St Andrew’s had built up a comfortable lead in the first half, but it was Graeme's turn to make use of the wind. 

 

Through some clever box kicking by Graeme scrumhalf Curt Williams they were able to use the wind to their advantage.  Graeme were first to score in the second-half through fullback Simbulele Sizani which was not converted bringing the score to 10 – 20.

 

Loose forward Ethan September got carded and the Graemian’s were down to fourteen men.  Wing Ndwandwa picked up a dropped ball from an over-run backline attack by the College team.  He was quick enough to beat the defence and scored near the poles.  Ndungane converted and the score was 17 – 20.  

 

The pressure was really starting to build, and the Graeme team were struggling to create a solid platform to attack.  

 

In the last minute of the game the Graemian’s were awarded a penalty just outside the St Andrew’s 22 metre line.  Through clever thinking from scrumhalf Williams, who took it quickly, it almost led to a try by flyhalf Justice Tyatya but he was stopped just short of the try-line.  

 

The Graeme team was then able to launch a final attack which led to No.8 Luyolo Tshongweni going through untouched and scoring the winning try under the poles.  

 

The atmosphere around the field was euphoric before the final conversation.  The Graeme College 1st XV had won the match with a final score of 24 – 20.