Kearsney Starts with a Thriller

After a jittery start, Kearsney gradually gained the ascendancy with both possession and field position.  It took 15 minutes before the first score, after the hosts had crossed the line earlier, but the referee ruled the ball had been held up.

The first try was scored by fullback Jacques Odendaal when he received a short pass from flank Sibusiso Sangweni who had made the break.  Taine Muirhead added the two points for a 7-0 lead.

Just five minutes later, after forward pressure in the Middelburg 22m area, a ruck on the try-line was won by Kearsney and the ball slipped over to Odendaal who dived over for his second try and a 12-0 lead.

After two missed penalty conversions, Muirhead added three points on the stroke of half-time for a 15-point lead.

Early in the second half, again after forward possession in the 22m area, hooker Reid Stuart barged over for Kearsney’s third try.

The Middelburg forwards began asserting some pressure, resulting in their first try, when wing Quintino October went over.  A conversion by Morné Sonnekus narrowed the deficit to 7-20.

A quick tap from a penalty caught Kearsney off guard and the ball was passed through a number of hands to October who jinxed his way through passing to Lenard Olivier who outpaced the defence. 

Eighth man Juandré Odendaal crashed over for their third try, sprinting 30m to score near the touchline.  A good conversion by Sonnekus narrowed the gap to just four points.  

Kearsney appeared to tire as Middelburg got a second wind and, in the final minutes, a handling mistake by Kearsney was pounced on by Middelburg centre Mariano de Villiers who ran 40m to score.  Although the conversion went wide, they had won the game 26-25 in a game of two halves.

Scorers:

For Kearsney: 

Tries: Jacques Odendaal 2, Mark Pretorius, Reid Stuart

Con: Taine Muirhead

Pen: Taine Muirhead

For HTS Middelburg: 

Tries: Quintino October, Lenard Olivier, Mariano de Villiers, Juandré Odendaal

Cons: Morné Sonnekus 3

Kearsney College: 15 Jacques Odendaal, 14 Scott Couzens, 13 Robert Koenig, 12 Phoku Mchunu, 11 Quintino October, 10 Taine Muirhead, 9 Marco Mattioda, 8 Andréw Harding (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Taine Polzi, 5 Nicholas Baines, 4 Dylan Bissett, 3 Oliver Carmody, 2 Reid Stuart, 1 Mpendulo Dlamini. 

Replacements: 16 Connor Griffiths, 17 Bradley Taylor, 18 Ruben Darby, 19 Aiden Bossert, 20 Matthew Hayden, 21 Jordan Bamber, 22 Derick Marshall, 23 Mark Pretorius. 

HTS Middelburg: 15 Gerhard Taljaard, 14 Adriaan van Staden, 13 Joubert Willers (captain), 12 PJ de Beer, 11 Lenard Olivier, 10 Ricky Schoneveldt, 9 Martin Erasmus, 8 Kayle Scholtz, 7 Juandré Odendaal, 6 Alten Nelson, 5 Franco Fourie, 4 Damon Grobler, 3 Zhander Briedenhann, 2 MC Kuhn, 1 Stephan Pretorius. 

Replacements: 16 Edwin Till, 17 Tian du Pont, 18 Andries Vorster, 19 Marnus Botha, 20 Dolf Rossouw, 21 Mariano de Villiers, 22 Quintin Cloete, 23 Morné Sonnekus. 

Pretoria Boys High vs Queen's College, 14-10

With temperatures rising, spectators were already heading for the shade by the second game. The match between Queen’s College and Pretoria Boys High did not rise to the heights of the first match. The sides were evenly matched and mistakes on attack by both sides resulted in try-scoring opportunities going abegging.

Minutes after the kick-off Pretoria were awarded a penalty which Justin Cross converted for an early 3-0 lead.

Midway through the first half, Pretoria sustained pressure by the forwards, and the ball was moved through a number of hands to hooker Richard da Costa. This time there was no mishandling, enabling Boys High to take an 8-0 lead which they held until the half-time break.

A break-away by Queen’s centre Siya Tyulu handed the ball to flyhalf Sinethemab Tshunu. There was good support by centre Enrique Oranje who received the pass, before he dived over in the corner.

Queen’s maintained their resurgence and another good handling movement resulted in Tyulu diving over in the right-hand corner to give them a 10-8 lead.

With five minutes remaining, Boys High were awarded a penalty over 40m out and Cross was able to put his team into a one-point lead. 

Two minutes later a mistake in the defence by Queen’s led to another penalty just in front of the posts. Cross had an easy kick to increase the lead to 14-10.

Scorers

Queen’s College: 

Tries Enrique Oranje, Siya Tyulu

Pretoria Boys High: 

Tries Richard da Costa

Pens Justin Cross 3

Teams

Pretoria Boys' High: 15 Justin Cross, 14 Matthew Breckenridge, 13 Angus Pratt, 12 Kyle Brown, 11 Jamie Nortje, 10 Dylan Thompson, 9 Ruan van Rooyen, 8 Rhys Bekker (captain), 7 Kgala Mothomogolo, 6 Khanya Jada, 5 Theo Pretorius, 4 Aidan Bristow, 3 Reinhardt Nel, 2 Richard da Costa, 1 Callen Matzopoulos. Replacements: 16 Matthew Caldwell, 17 Mpho Matlolane, 18 Wandile Madodonke, 19 Pieter van der Merwe, 20 Tom Calenborne, 21 Aiden Olivier, 22 Mikhail Edwards, 23 Sithembiso Matlaletsa. 

Queen's College: 15 Sigqibo Siyaya, 14 Mandilakhe Sibeko, 16 Siya Tyulu, 12 Enrique Oranje (captain), 11 Liyabona Maku, 10 10 Sinethemba Tshunungwa, 9 Aviwe Kanuka, 8 Sven Sorensen, 7 Chumani Gatyeni, 6 Ncedile Xundu, 5 Seth van Schoor, 4 Samkelisiwe Mxabangeli, 3 Ali Gqaza, 2 Tyrone Lottering, 1 Conley Pieterse. Replacements: 17 Odwa Mkhefa, 18 Cwenga Mbenyana, 19 Endinako Kuse, 20 Ntando Sihele, 21 Lesley Patsika, 22 Euan de Jager, 23 Siphelele Ngxishe, 24 Sivuyisiwe Mdingi. 

Glenwood vs Drostdy, 29-26

The third match was expected to be closely contested between Glenwood and HTS Drostdy, two of the highest ranked sides at the festival. It did not disappoint with play moving from one end to the other.

Although the half-time score was 19-7 it could easily have been closer as Drostdy had their chances, but good Glenwood defence prevented them scoring more than a single try in the first half.

Glenwood opened the scoring when Drostdy, with the ball in hand, made a mistake and it was capitalised on by centre Conan le Fleur, the Glenwood SA schools’ player, who ran 20 metres to score. Their second SA schools’ player, Jayden Hendrikse, added the extra points for a 7-0 lead.

Fullback Joe Jonas completed a good handling movement when he dived over in the corner for a 12-0 lead. Drostdy had also looked dangerous with the ball in hand but mistakes cost them dearly.

A little stab through resulted in a Drostdy line-out five metres out. The ensuing maul was controlled well by Drostdy and their eighth man CJ van Rensburg fell on the ball for a five-pointer. Cohen Jasper converted to leave the score 7-12.

Just on half-time Hendrikse forced his way over and, with his conversion successful, took Glenwood into halftime with a 19-7 lead.

Drostdy were the first to score in the second half after a successful box kick was gathered by wing Adrian Maans who showed good pace down the touchline to dot down in the corner, thereby narrowing the gap to 12-19.

Glenwood were not finished winning good ball from a ruck and it was spread to the left. Good inter-passing down the left flank ended in Hendrikse's hands. He cut inside to score under the poles, giving himself an easy conversion and extend the lead to 26-12.

Going into the last quarter, Glenwood were awarded another penalty at a ruck which Hendrikse converted. Drostdy again had chances but poor passing and handling prevented them getting over the line until six minutes from the end, when they did get their reward with a five-pointer, converted by Jasper, to narrow the lead to 10 points.

A good long pass to Jasper on the right end in a consolation converted try in the final seconds of the game, leaving the score 29-26 in a fine game of top schoolboy rugby.

Scorers:

For Glenwood: 

Tries Joe Jonas, Conan de Fleur, Jaden Hendrikse 2 

Cons: Jaden Hendrikse 3 

Pens: Jaden Hendrikse

HTS Drostdy: 

Tries Cohen Jasper, Adriaan Maans, CJ van Rensburg 2

Cons: Cohen Jasper 3

Teams

Glenwood: 15 Siyanda Cele, 14 Aron Larue, 13 Martino van Wyk, 12 Jean Roux, 11 Rory Atwill, 10 Rynhardt Jonker, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Freddie Slabbert, 7 Lindokuhle Luthuli, 6 Runako Brynard (captain), 5 Lunga Ncube, 4 Werner Coetzee, 3 Thabiso Mdletse, 2 Jhaques Thyssen, 1 Calvin Wilson. Replacements: 16 Ruan Olivier, 17 Jordan Clarke, 18 Ethan Smit, 19 George Luzolo, 20 Joe Jonas, 21 Conan le Fleur, 22 Dylan Pretorius, 23 JC Conradie. 

HTS Drostdy: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Roann Jansen, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Gerrit van Zyl, 11 Adrian Maans, 10 Shaun Baxter, 9 Luciano Elias, 8 CJ van Rensburg (captain), 7 Heinrich Naude, 6 Benicio Kamfer, 5 Gysbert du Preez, 4 Renier Viljoen, 3 Duan Bredenkamp, 2 Wynand du Plessis, 1 Trevor Laubscher. Replacements: 16 Stefan Schwartz, 17 Tommie Bezuidenhout, 18 Divan Noble, 19 André Nel, 20 Carlo Nagel, 21 Justin Henning, 22 Ruben van Rooyen, 23 Keane Gelant. 

Dale vs Framesby

Two Eastern Cape schools, Dale College and Hoërskool Framesby, faced each other in the fourth game of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.

An almost score-less first half, where neither school gained dominance, had most of the rugby being played between the two 22m areas.

When Framesby looked as if they were gaining some dominance in possession, it was Dale with a kick ahead on the half-time whistle that led to the first points. Fullback Emile Matsinya chased, getting his hand on the ball before the Framesby defence for the try and a 50-0 lead at half-time.

The game livened up in the second half when Framesby scored twice in the third quarter. The first was by forward Rikus Smith after a ruck, and the second by wing Luan Ras after inter-passing between Ras and Sebastian Brand as they ran 50m down the left touch line, beating the defence with good passing.

Framesby scored their third try from a maul following a line-out after a long kick downfield which found touch just in front of the corner flag. Flank De Wet Erasmus came up with the ball after the rolling maul. The conversion was again wide but their lead had increased to 15-5 which remained as such to the end.

Scorers

For Dale College: 

Try Emile Matsinya

For Framesby: 

Tries Jonathan Draai, Rikus Smith, De Wet Erasmus

Teams

Dale College: 15 Emile Matsinya, 14 Mzwamazizi Ngalo, 13 Indiphile Tyeda, 12 Siphamandla Krweqe, 11 Andrico Johannes, 10 Ikho Putini, 9 Thando Zoki, 8 Simbongile Kampi, 7 Lathi-thaa Lukasi (captain), 6 Lumphumlo Tsheko, 5 Siphelele Njumba, 4 Thando Gqokvo, 3 Okuhle Siyeni, 2 Mikhaya Sonquishe, 1 Masivuye Mafenyana. Replacements: 16 Bulela Magopeni, 17 Nande Lucas, 18 Simnikiwe Gege, 19 Jaylon Hamann, 20 Hlomla Payi, 21 Xobani Mgoqi, 22 Phumelele Bokolo, 23 Sibusiso Zena. 

Framesby: 15 Pieter Scholtz, 14 Grayson Ditlow, 13 Cadan Wade-Finnis, 12 Monray Potgieter, 11 Jonathan Draai, 10 JuAndré Liebenberg, 9 André Gerber, 8 Alex Palm (captain), 7 De Wet Erasmus, 6 Christo Gerber, 5 Barry Vlok, 4 Luan Ras, 3 Rikus Smith, 2 Divan Meyer, 1 William Moffat. Replacements: 16 Jonathan Carter, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Morne Prince, 19 Danie van der Merwe, 20 Ruan du Preez, 21 Divan van Wyk, 22 Sebastian Brandt, 23 Monre Olivier. 

DHS vs Selborne

The penultimate match of the first day saw the breeze strengthening, clouds coming in and a welcome drop in the temperature. Durban High School (DHS) and Selborne College from East London met in a duel of thrusts and parries. 

It took some time before the first points were scored, with DHS wing Malusi Ntuli converting a penalty. Selborne flyhalf Thomas Bursey replied a few minutes later and the score remained 3-all until DHS scored a try just into the second quarter. A cross-kick to the left saw two DHS players almost gather the ball, but the favourable bounce ensured centre Darren Booysen first to the ball for a try.

DHS, with an 8-3 lead, then increased it to 11-3 when Ntuli added his second penalty just before the break. 

Ten minutes into the second half DHS front row forward Marcel Nel went over following a ruck. Again, the conversion went wide but the lead had increased to 13 points. 

Selborne at last managed passes without mistakes to send centre Likhaya Tengimfene over in the corner. This brought Selborne to 8-16 but they were playing with greater intent.

They camped in the DHS half for 10 minutes but were unable to make it count. Just three minutes from the end, Selborne prop forward Jacques Goosen barged over but an easy conversion was missed.

DHS held on for a 16-13 lead in an exciting finish with Selborne striving for a win.

Scorers:

For Selborne College: 

Tries: Likhaya Tengimfene, Jacques Goosen

Con: Thomas Bursey 

For DHS: 

Tries Darren Booysen, Marcel Nel

Pens: Malusi Ntuli 2

Teams

Durban High School: 15 McNeil Jenner, 14 Malusi Ntuli, 13 Lwandile Menze (captain), 12 Sfundo Mkhwanazi, 11 Lwazi Moletshe, 10 Shakur la Douce, 9 Darren Booysen, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Adrian Dirks, 6 Asande Mnguni, 5 Setjhaba Mathuse, 4 Taariq Kruger, 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Donovan Adams, 1 Marcel Nel. Replacements: 16 Stoney Steenkamp, 17 Langalakhe Mgobozi, 18 Tristan Finscham, 19 Avumile Bongco, 20 Xhanti Njokweni, 21 Jaydian Cedares, 22 Nhlakanipho Nene, 23 Zethembe Mbonambi. 

Selborne College: 15 Jordan Janse van Rensburg, 14 Jarod Ramsey, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Sibabalwe Xamlashe (captain), 11 Mntungwa Mapantsela, 10 Thomas Bursey, 9 Oyonoo Fani, 8 PJ Sizani, 7 Raiden Masters, 6 Troy Mynhardt, 5 Ridge Snelling, 4 Eric Kruger, 3 Shakeel Naidoo, 2 Chad Peinke, 1 Nolan Kemp. Replacements: 16 Akalinekeli Dlakavu, 17 Loyiso Peteni, 18 Joshua van Vuuren, 19 Dean Stokes, 20 Prenolin Naidoo, 21 Sibulele Mali, 22 Likhaya Tengimfene, 23 James Flanagan. 

Welkom Gimnasium vs Noord-Kaap 

The final match of the day at Kearsney, between Noord-Kaap and Welkom Gimnasium, was full of movement and greater continuity than the two previous matches, adding to the enjoyment of the spectators.

Noord-Kaap were attacking when an error enabled Welkom to move the ball from the in-goal area. Two passes out to the right found wing Apla de Kock, who made 60m down the right touchline before passing inside. Left wing Marno April needed a 30m sprint to score under the poles for the try of the day. The conversion by FC du Plessis was successful for the Eastern Free State visitors to lead 7-0.

They continued to out-muscle and out-pace Noord-Kaap and another midfield mistake by Noord-Kaap was picked up by lock Husayn Banzi who drove his way 50m to the try-line, handing off three attempted tackles. Another successful two points by Du Plessis put them 14-0 in front.

Noord-Kaap managed to get on the scoreboard with a long-range penalty by Seanriq Daniels. This was followed immediately by a try after a 50m run by right wing De Kock for his second and a 21-3 lead going into the break.

There was no let up by Welkom in the second half and they continued to dominate. A missed attempted clearance by a Noord-Kaap kick was spread left across the field finding April who evaded two tackles and side-stepped his way past the final defence to score. Again, the conversion successful, to put them 28-3 ahead.

Noord-Kaap had their most successful period of the game going into the last quarter when they spent 10 minutes in the Welkom 22m area. However, good defence by Welkom kept them at bay.

Thereafter both sides were unable to add to the 28-3 score; and so ended a successful first day at the festival

Scorers:

For Welkom Gimnasium:

Tries: Apla de Kock, Marno April 2, Husayn Banzi

Cons: FC du Plessis 4

For Noord-Kaap: 

Pen: Senrique Daniels

Teams

Noord-Kaap: 15 Godwill Romain, 14 Andries Jacobs, 13 Elzandro Fredericks, 12 Revano Muller, 11 Romeo van Wyk, 10 DS van Niekerk, 9 Craig Ockhuis, 8 Edrich Brand (captain), 7 Jeffrey Muzaza, 6 Ruan van Loggerenberg, 5 Jean Engelbrecht, 4 Leon Koortzen, 3 Edwill Speelman, 2 Nolan Coetzee, 1 Alexander Engelbrecht. 

Replacements: 16 Devin Steenkamp, 17 Tertius Mostert, 18 Sisipho Nofuya, 19 Duvan van der Merwe, 20 Alnino Lorten, 21 Senrique Daniels, 22 Jacquin van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel. 

Welkom Gimnasium: 15 FC du Plessis, 14 Jaime Heynes, 13 Apla de Kock, 12 Keith van Aswegen, 11 Marno April, 10 Ryan Davids, 9 Georgen Kiewiet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Christo Steyn (captain), 6 Whaldo Swartz, 5 Husayn Banzi, 4 Lerato Mahlabe, 3 Carl Senyane, 2 Martley Bayman, 1 Tyron Combrinck. 

Replacements: 16 Pedrich Makkink, 17 JP Pretorius, 18 Qian Meyer, 19 TK James, 20 Macniel Matthews, 21 Shaquille van Heerden, 23 Durren Hull.

By Sue Miles of Working Words