Kearsney Festival: PBHS win - just

Then the boys from Pretoria got over for a 22-15 win.

Queen’s, back at the festival for the first time since 2009, had the majority of possession in the first half, although most of the play took place between the two 22m-areas.

Queen’s opened the scoring with a penalty by flyhalf Keith Kroutz. Both teams were quick to recycle ball, but the defences on both sides held. On one of the rare occasions that either side got close to the try-line, it was the Queen’s forwards who drove over and they were awarded a touch-down. This gave them an 8-0 lead.

Pretoria’s flyhalf Tayne Rivas converted a 40m-penalty and then, on the stroke of half-time, a second easier penalty, to take them into half-time 6-8 behind.

Early in the second half a pass that didn’t go to hand enabled Queen’s centre Ilano Smith to kick ahead. A kind bounce and a sprint for the line enabled Queen’s to score their second try, with a good conversion in blustery conditions by Kroutz.

Rivas was also successful with his third penalty to narrow the gap to 9-15. Pretoria Boys High then had a five-minute period of attack in the 22m area. They were awarded a number of penalties but Queen’s did not back down. Eventually Pretoria added another three points when Geordie Collaros was successful.

Pretoria Boys High had the opportunity of a long penalty to win the game with a minute to go, but the ball struck the upright. Their captain and eighth man Chris du Toit then broke through and used his long strides to get close to the poles, giving his team a dramatic 22-15 win after Collaros’s conversion

Scorers:

For Queen’s:

Tries: Forwards, Ilano Smith

Conversion: Keith Kroutz

Penalty: Kroutz

For Pretoria Boys High:

Try: Chris du Toit

Conversion: Geordie Collaros

Penalties: Tayne Rivas 3, Geordie Collaros 2

From Sue Miles of Working Words