Kearsney's Day 2 starts with close encounter

Framesby vs Pretoria Boys High

The first half, between Pretoria Boys High and Hoërskool Framesby, who had both won their fixtures on Thursday, was played largely between the two 22-metre areas.

There appeared no game breakers in either side, as good defence prevented players breaking away.  It was 13 minutes before Pretoria broke through into the Framesby 22-metre area, but they were thwarted from scoring.

At half-time Framesby led 6-3 after two well-struck penalties by fullback Peter Scholtz to one by Pretoria’s fullback Justin Cross, the latter just on half-time.

The game livened up when Pretoria flyhalf Dylan Thompson ghosted through a gap, sprinting to score the first try of the game.  This was converted, again by Cross, for a 10-6 lead.

Framesby forwards powered their way to the Pretoria line and, with some pick and go, keeping the ball in hand, prop Morné Prince forced his way over.  The conversion was taken by André Gerber to put the Eastern Cape side back into a 13-10 lead.

Light drizzle made the ball slippery, but Framesby managed to hold onto their narrow three-point lead in an evenly contested and exciting contest.

Scorers:

For Framesby: 

Try: Morné Prince

Con: André Gerber

Pens: Peter Scholtz 2

For Pretoria Boys High: 

Try: Dylan Thompson

Con: Justin Cross

Pen: Justin Cross

Teams

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. 

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. 

Durban High School vs Queen's College

With the mist thickening, much of the game between Durban High School (DHS) and Queen’s College was played with spectators struggling to see across the field. Despite the wet conditions, handling on both sides was good.

It was Queen’s who dominated the first quarter and they were rewarded with a try when scrumhalf Aviwe Kanuka broke from a scrum, passing to his flyhalf Sinethemba Tshunungwa, who broke through several tackles to score close to the uprights. Kanuka added the points for a 7-0 lead.

DHS, who had missed one penalty at the posts when it hit the upright, then converted from closer to the touchline and Shakur la Douce opened their points to trail 3-7.

Both sides had further opportunities, but it was not until a few minutes from half-time that a Queen’s player lost the ball in a ruck close to the goal line, and DHS flank Asande Mnguni toed the ball forward and fell on it over the goal-line for a 5-pointer. It was well covered by La Douce to take DHS into a 10-7 lead at the break.

The mist thickened even further and it became difficult even to see halfway across the field. Going into the last quarter with 14 players after a yellow card, DHS won ball, swung it to the right with scrumhalf Jaydian Cedares running wide and an inside pass to fullback McNeil Jenner who went over for a try. This was again converted by La Douce for a 17-7 lead.

With just three minutes remaining in the game, DHS, with some enterprising passing, moved down the left for hooker Stoney Stenekamp to score a try in the corner. La Douce again slotted the kick for DHS to win 24-7.

Scorers:

For DHS: 

Tries Asande Mnguni, McNeil Jenner, Stoney Stenekamp

Cons: Shakur la Douce 3

Pen: Shakur la Douce

For Queen’s: 

Try Sinethemba Tshunungwa

Con: Aviwe Kanuka

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. 

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. 

Kearsney vs Noord-Kaap

With slightly better visibility, the third match of the day between home side Kearsney College and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap of Kimberley was another closely contested game.

Kearsney opened the scoring after 12 minutes when some sustained pressure saw flyhalf Taine Muirhead pop a pass to fullback Jacques Odendaal to dummy and go over in the corner, giving the hosts a 5-0 lead.

Noord-Kaap equalised a short while later when their livewire scrumhalf Craig Ockhuis broke from the base of the scrum to dive over for an unconverted try.

Kearsney went into an 8-5 lead which they held until the break, when Odendaal converted a penalty.

During the second half the mist thickened and swirled again. Despite the wet conditions, handling by both teams was good and some enterprising backline movements were enjoyed by the crowd.

Kimberley player DS van Niekerk converted a penalty to level the scores at 8-all. 

The home side took the lead again to 13-8, when hooker Reid Stuart scored after a ruck.

Noord-Kaap again narrowed the gap when Van Niekerk kicked a long-range penalty, but it was Kearsney who were dominating the forward exchanges and winning greater possession. They were rewarded when Odendaal sent a long pass out to the left, finding eighth man and captain Andrew Harding unmarked. Harding obliged by running 10m to score in the corner. This time Odendaal split the uprights with a good kick to take a 20-11 lead, which they held to the final whistle.

Scorers

For Kearsney: 

Tries: Jacques Odendaal, Reid Stuart, Andrew Harding

Con: Jacques Odendaal

Pen: Jacques Odendaal

For Noord-Kaap: 

Try: Craig Ockhuis

Pens: DS van Niekerk 2

Teams

Kearsney College: 15 Jacques Odendaal, 14 Scott Couzens, 13 Robert Koenig, 12 Phoku Mchunu, 11 Gcinathina Gumede, 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. 

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. 

Glenwood vs Dale

Glenwood came into this match against Dale College as favourites, but Dale can hold their heads high as in the first half they played the typical Dalian way.

They tackled and, with ball in hand, made metres; but it was Glenwood’s SA schools player and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse who was their general. His passing, his relieving kicks and general management on the field held Dale at bay.

Hendrikse’s long-range penalties and the conversion of lock Lunga Ncube’s try gave Glenwood a 13-0 lead. It was only in the final 10 minutes of the first half that they increased their halftime lead to 25-0.

With Dale on attack, a dropped ball was picked up by Glenwood. Straight running, with support on either side of the ball carrier, Hendrikse was the final recipient. He sprinted the final 20m to score, but this time missed a relatively easy conversion. 

On the stroke of halftime, hooker Jhaques Thyssen powered over from a ruck following a lineout. This time Hendrikse added the extra points for their 25-point lead.

It took Glenwood another 14 minutes into the second half to score their next points. They came from a solo effort by eighth man Freddie Slabbert who jinxed his way through the Dale players to score from 40m out, giving Hendrikse an easy conversion and the team a 32-0 lead.

Just two minutes later Glenwood were on attack again and this time the ball was spread rapidly through the hands from right to left, where wing Aaron le Roux completed the move for a try in the corner. Hendrikse again added the extra points with a pinpoint conversion, giving Glenwood a 39-point lead.

In the final few minutes Dale gave of their best, but Glenwood prevented them making any progress. The final whistle and a score of 39-0 showed the dominance of Glenwood. Dale, however, played far better rugby than they had on the first day against Framesby.

Scorers

For Glenwood: 

Tries: Jayden Hendrikse, Lunga Ncube, Jhaques Thyssen, Aaron le Roux, Freddie Slabbert

Cns: Jayden Hendrikse 4 

Pens: Jayden Hendrikse 2

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. 

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 vs Welkom Gimnasium 

With the weather closing in again, conditions became more difficult.  The match between HTS Drostdy and Welkom Gimnasium was expected to be the match of the day, but the game did not rise to expectations, as it was only later in the second half that greater continuity in play ensued.

Drostdy spent the first 10 minutes of the game in Welkom’s half of the field and eventually the pressure paid when South Africa Under-19 Sevens player Christie Grobbelaar broke through for the first try of the game.  This was converted by Shaun Baxter for a 7-0 lead.

Welkom had their chances but could not get through and it was a penalty by flyhalf Ryan Davids that narrowed the deficit to 7-3.  A further two penalties were traded to leave the halftime score 10-6 in favour of Drostdy.

Conditions deteriorated further in the second half with both sides making valiant attempts to score.  Midway through the half, Drostdy livened up proceedings with a breakaway, but good defence from Welkom stopped them on the try-line.

A second try was scored by Drostdy when lock André Nel scored in the corner after a surge downfield to give Drostdy a 15-6 lead.

Welkom hit back almost immediately and it was wing Apla de Kock that beat a number of tackles to score an unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 11-15.  Davids converted another penalty with four minutes remaining to make it a one-point lead to Drostdy.

Drostdy fought back and it was flank Benicio Kamfer who received the pass on the right wing, evaded a tackle and when brought down just short, stretched an arm to score.  This was well converted by Baxter for a good 22-14 win.

Scorers

For Drostdy: 

Tries: Christie Grobbelaar, André Nel, Benicio Kamfer

Cons: Shaun Baxter 2

Pen: Shaun Baxter

For Welkom Gim: 

Try: Apla de Kock

Pens: Ryan Davids 3

Teams

HTS Drostdy: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Roann Jansen, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Gerrit van Zyl, 11 Adrian Mans, 10 Shaun Baxter, 9 Luciano Elias, 8 CJ van Rensburg (captain), 7 Heinrich Naudé, 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. 

Welkom Gimnasium: 15 FC du Plessis, 14 Jaime Heynes, 13 JP 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.

Selborne College vs HTS Middelburg

The final game of the second day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival saw Selborne College take on HTS Middelburg. 

The plattelanders played in conditions that they were not familiar with, and it was Selborne that dominated with the ball in hand and territorially.

It took Selborne just a few minutes to open the scoring when centre Mnombo Zwelendaba broke through the defence to give Thomas Bursey an easy conversion and a 7-0 lead. Bursey added a penalty shortly after to increase the lead to 10-0.

After spending most of the time in the Middelburg half, a forward move saw prop Nolan Kemp burst over the line for a try. This time the conversion went wide. 

A minute later centre, Sibabalwe Xamlashe stepped through a gap passing to the supporting lock, Dean Stokes, who powered over the line. This time Bursey converted. The lead was extended to 27-0 when Zwelendaba scored his second try.

Middelburg played their best rugby of the half in the last few minutes after two attacks on the Selborne line being stopped just short. This left the half time score at 27-0.

Early in the second half Bursey converted a penalty to increase the score to 30-0. 

Middelburg were playing with more intensity following the break and a good 70m run down the left touchline by Leonard Olivier saw him scoring under the posts for Morné Sonnekus to convert.

Bursey added a long range penalty to increase the score to 33-7. With 14 minutes left on the clock.

With just five minutes remaining Middelburg had another good period of play, putting pressure on Selborne and keeping them pinned in their 22m area. This resulted in a try by centre Joubert Willers with Sonnekus converting – 14 points to Middelburg in the second half.

With time up on the clock, Selborne were attacking, but a mistake allowed Middelburg to counter with a kick ahead and a chase. Quintino October got to the ball first and dotted down for a try which narrowed Selborne’s lead to 33-19.

Scorers:

For Selborne: 

Tries Mnombo Zwelendaba 2, Nolan Kemp, Dean Stokes

Cons Thomas Bursey 2 

Pens: Thomas Bursey 2

For HTS Middelburg: 

Tries: Lenard Olivier, Joubert Willers, Quintino October

Cons: Morné Sonnekus 2

Teams

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. 

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 Morne Sonnekus. 

By Sue Miles of Working Words