Lots of excitement at Queen's
Queen’s College hosted Kingswood College, from Grahamstown, at The Recreation Ground. The match was played in overcast and windy conditions, but this did not hamper the flow of the game as both teams attacked relentlessly for the entire match. The game produced eleven tries which had the crowd on the edge of their seats till the final whistle.
After some good phase play from the start the hosts put the visitors under pressure in the opening minutes but failed to capitalise on this, and a turnover saw Kingswood clear their lines and set up their opportunity to attack. The visitors were the first two score after a loose ball on the ground was won by their flank, and was moved quickly to their captain, Josh Shelly, who went crashing over for the first try of the match. Garrick Mattheus was successful with the conversion and the visitors led 7-0.
The hosts replied almost immediately after some patient phase play which saw Yaw Penxe offload to Mihlali Peter who found his captain, Raegan Oranje, on hand to finish off a well worked unconverted try. From the kickoff Queen’s were caught offside after a knock-on and Mattheus was successful with the penalty attempt to take the score to 10-5 in the visitors' favour.
The next points of the game were scored by Oranje, after a well-worked move saw the scrumhalf score from 40 metres out. Albré Wagener was successful with the conversion and Queen’s were in front for the first time in the game.
Kingswood was then awarded a penalty and regained the lead after Mattheus was successful with the kick. Queen’s were then able to put some meaningful phases together and after some good interplay between the forwards and the backs hooker, Gareth Heidtmann, went crashing over for the hosts' third try. The unconverted try gave Queen’s a 17-13 lead.
Queen’s seemed to be settling into their playing pattern and prop, Lukona Masoka, scored the fourth try which was converted by Wagener for a 24-13 lead. Kingswood's never-say-die attitude resulted in the visitors scoring next after speedy fullback Athi Halom, intercepted a poor offload and ran 50m up the field before finding his wing James Russell, who scored and unconverted try. Kingswood on the stroke of halftime scored a converted try from their fullback, Halom just before the break to take a 25-24 lead.
The second half of the game lived up to the excitement of the first half as both teams threw everything into attack. The hosts were the first to open the scoring after Yaw Penxe chipped a ball ahead, which was regathered by wing Frank van Heerden, who passed to centre Bulela Sotyelwa who dived over in the corner for an unconverted try. Mattheus managed to reduce the deficit after a well struck penalty.
Queen’s were next to score after some patient attack and some great work by Justin Kuyler and Johan van Heerden found Mihlali Peter in space. Wagener added the extra two points for a 36-28 lead.
True to form it was the visitors who were next to add to their tally after some good play from their backs and forwards saw the Kingswood scrumhalf, Mark Webber, dive over for a converted try and set up an exciting last 8 minutes with the game in the balance at 36-35.
The final stanzas of the game saw sweeping movements from both teams with end-to-end play as both teams threw everything into attack and defence. The deadlock was finally broken after a misdirected kick was fielded by fullback Penxe who managed to beat two defenders in a great individual effort to score. Wagener was successful with the conversion which sealed the win for Queen’s 43-35.
The game was played in a fantastic spirit and was one of the most exciting matches enjoyed by the crowd at Recreation Ground in recent times. The crowd enjoyed the running rugby and feast of tries. However, while both teams will be happy with their attack, their defence at times would be an area of concern.
Queen’s will now take on Graeme College in Grahamstown this weekend.
By John Duncan
