Graeme down Muir in G-Town
With the weather getting a little closer to the expectations of the upcoming change of season, it was a perfect day for rugby. It’s a fixture that always signals the end of the rugby season – an opportunity for matrics to show their worth to the school one last time.
Despite the hype around the first XV match, unfortunately the match will be remembered as a scrappy encounter that never really got going. Both teams seemed content on playing the man rather than the ball as emotions ran high on the day.
Graeme scored two unconverted tries in the first half. The first came from a good rolling maul before the ball made its way out wide to Azizipho Mncongo, who beat his opposition defender and crashed over superbly in the corner. The second try came from a quick tap by Cameron Amos who then found Bukhosi Mhlambiso who also went over in the corner. Graeme kept mounting the pressure and would’ve been disappointed to not score another try before half time.
Muir finally got on the board with a penalty kick to make it 10-3 at the break.
At half time the game was still there for the taking, as no one gained momentum in the scrappy affair, despite Graeme getting the majority of the opportunities. Graeme managed to kick a penalty to take the score to 13-3.
Muir replied with one of their own penalties to make it 13-6.
Again, Graeme’s forwards managed to gain the upper hand before the ball made its way out wide to centre Simamkele Ngxesha, who went over in the corner for Graeme’s third try. This time Sivu Ngqiyaza made no mistake as he converted to increase Graeme’s lead to 20-6.
Shortly after that, he slotted another penalty to take the score to 23-6. Graeme were able to get the majority of the good ball from a forward pack that was dominant at set pieces.
Even though neither team ever found their stride Graeme will be delighted with the final result. They would’ve hoped for a slightly better record this season but nonetheless they have finished strongly since the draw to Nico Malan with wins over Union High, Pearson and Muir and a good result against a strong Kingswood side.
Azizipho were named the Graeme fist XV player of the season and top try scorer.
Scorers:
For Graeme:
Tries: Azizipho Mncongo, Cameron Amos, Simamkele Ngxesha
Con: Sivu Ngqiyaza
Pens: Sivu Ngqiyaza 2
For Muir:
Pens: Neo Pepeta 2
