Piketberg claim dramatic win
Piketberg HS clinched a dramatic 23-21 victory over Schoonspruit SS in a tense Classic Clash on Saturday in Malmesbury, with the game being won by a missed penalty.
With regulation time being exceeded, it was up to Schoonspruit flyhalf Kern Papier to land a penalty to snatch victory but his effort came to within inches of going over to hand the narrow victory to Piketberg.
A jam packed, enthusiastic crowd greeted the players in the ninth annual clash between the schools and Schoonspruit were feeling confident about their chances after their other teams secured convincing wins over their bitter rivals.
Typical hard and vicious interschool rugby was being showcased with Schoonspruit breaking the deadlock thanks to a Papier penalty. Piketberg hit back immediately with a try which was wounded off by their flyhalf Dewald Kirsten.
It was not long before Schoonspruit regained the lead when lock Samkelo Siyo made his way over the try line following a well-executed line-out. As was the nature of the game, Piketberg were back in the lead when captain Benna van der Westhuizen dotted the ball down and Kirsten converted to hand the visitors a 12-8 lead.
Papier reduced the deficit to a solitary point when he nailed his second penalty of the match before a brilliant turnover by Schoonspruit resulted in inside centre Gershwin Coetzee grabbing the home side's second try of the match. Papier slotted the conversion from the touchline to hand Schoonspruit an 18-12 lead just before half-time.
Piketberg managed to narrow the gap to just three points after the half-time whistle when Kirsten punished Schoonspruit's ill-discipline through a penalty.
The home side missed excellent opportunities to seal the match in the second half and were punished for their missed for their missed chances when van der Westhuizen grabbed his brace to hand Piketberg a 20-18 lead. Schoonspruit went on the attack and were awarded a penalty – which was easily slotted by Papier to hand the home side the lead once again, albeit by a solitary point.
In what has become the norm between these sides, more drama followed and with just two minutes remaining in the contest, Piketberg were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Kirsten made no mistake with the kick to hand the visitors a 23-21 lead.
Schoonspruit were going to need to do something special with the final play of the match and had the ideal opportunity to snatch victory when they were awarded a penalty after Piketberg failed to release the ball on the ground. Papier stepped up and his kick shaved the left upright to leave Schoonspruit devastated.
Yet another epic encounter between the two schools came to a nail-biting finish but will be remembered as one of many closely fight battles.
Scorers:
For Schoonspruit:
Tries: Siyo, Coetzee
Con: Papier
Pens: Papier 3
For Piketberg:
Tries: Kirsten, van der Westhuizen 2
Con: Kirsten
Pens: Kirsten 2
Teams:
Schoonspruit: 15 Persual Abdol, 14 Ashwin van der Westhuizen, 13 Godwin Jacobs, 12 Gerswin Coetzee, 11 Ashwin January, 10 Kern Papier, 9 Stefano Gysman, 8 Charl Cuttings, 7 Ruhan De Jager, 6 Jean-Claud Pietersen, 5 Samkelo Siyo, 4 Darryn Phillips, 3 Kelvyn Welkom, 2 Timo Matthysen, 1 Robbin Valentyn.
Replacements: 16 Angelo Jacobs, 17 Cullen Hoogbaard, 18 Stephano Baron, 19 Adlo Lendoor, 20 Austin Adams, 21 Enoch Mazukwa, 22 Jaydin Fortuin, 23 Gino Larey, 24 Thulani.
Piketberg: 15 Lahndrick Hendricks, 14 Jandrè de Witt, 13 Wickus Bronkhorst, 12 Gladwin Matthews, 11 Wiltino Schaffer, 10 Dewald Kirsten, 9 Nathan Williams, 8 Benna van der Westhuizen, 7 Driaan van Wyk, 6 Adam Barnard, 5 Ruan Brand, 4 Daniel Goosen, 3 Arno van Deventer, 2 Ferdie Jonker, 1 Jan-Daniël Roux.
Replacements: 16 Jade Visagie, 17 Marvin Pieters, 18 Matthew Luyt, 19 Jacques Joubert, 20 Burdty Joubert, 21 Austin Hanse, 22 Timorthy Klaasen.
