KES's Day 2 Wrap
Jeppe beat Marlow 21-13 and Wynberg downed the hosts, King Edward, 23-17 in Saturday’s concluding games.
King Edward were up against Wynberg Boys’ High, probably the most impressive side on display this year, and they gave a good account of themselves, getting to within one score of winning in the end. They gave away too many penalties, however, and they were unable to penetrate a solid Wynberg defence.
KES more than held their own up front against a big Wynberg pack and their backs, with centre Ambrin Snyders standing out, made plenty of yards, without too much reward. It was two tries apiece in the end, but KES’s indiscipline cost them, and the three penalties slotted by Wynberg’s De Livio van Wyk were the difference.
The KES tries were scored by Ngia Selengbe and Reece Botha, with Botha also kicking a penalty and two conversions. For Wynberg Mika Schubert and Liam Lotz touched down and Van Wyk added the kicks.
Jeppe had to dig deep to beat a plucky Marlow. They led 14-13 at the break, thanks to tries by Jordan Coetzee and Michael de Kock, both converted by Muzi Manyike. Marlow got a try through Troy Delport and their fullback and Troy Jacobs slotted two penalties, but that was to be their last scoring in the game. Jeppe’s Boituleo Tstatsane got a late try, converted by Manyike to make the game safe for them.
Hudson Park staged a late comeback to beat Marais Viljoen by a single point, 23-22, in an exciting counter. The East London side have made plenty of friends at the KES Festival this year with their exciting brand of attacking rugby and, after looking well beaten by Marais Viljoen’s solid forward pack in the first half, they turned a 17-8 half time deficit into a narrow win. They scored three second half tries to one by the Alberton side, and then defended heroically as they had everything thrown at them in the final few minutes.
In Saturday’s other action, Noordheuwel were way too strong for Muir College, Ben Vorster beat Northwood and Eldoraigne put in strong second half performance to beat Westville.
The top game on Monday looks to be the Jeppe vs Hudson Park clash at 12.15. The sides are quite similar in style, with big driving forwards and slippery backs who are prepared to run it from everywhere.
The King Edward's Reds have an opportunity to redeem themselves when the take on Northwood in the final game of the festival.
Wynberg meet Muir College in a what is likely to be a one-sided affair.
Saturday’s Results
Noordheuwel vs Muir, 48-3
Ben Vorster vs Northwood, 38-28
Hudson Park vs Marais Viljoen, 23-22
Jeppe vs Marlow, 21-13
Wynberg vs KES, 23-17
Easter Monday’s Fixtures
08.30: Eldoraigne vs Marais Viljoen
09.45: Noordheuwel vs Westville
11.00: Wynberg vs Muir
12.15: Hudson Park vs Jeppe
13.30: Marlow vs Ben Vorster
14.45: King Edward VII vs Northwood
Maundy Thursday's Results
Jeppe vs Ben Vorster, 29-26
KES vs Westville, 28-20
Marlow vs Marais Viljoen, 39-20
Wynberg vs Noordheuwel, 49-7
Hudson Park vs Eldoraigne, 47-26
Northwood vs Muir, 50-7
By Theo Garrun
