Queen's end on high note

Match report

The Queen’s College 1st XV ended their season with a conclusive 23-13 victory over traditional rivals Dale College, in King William’s Town on Saturday afternoon, to secure the “double”, after a 17-6 victory in Queenstown earlier in the season.

Although Dale rallied well at stages during the game, they were unable to match the consistency and class of the Queenians, who were full value for their victory.

Dale were first to score in the 6th minute when flyhalf Guy Ranger intercepted a Queen’s pass on the halfway line and ran 50 metres to score and convert his own try. Queen’s responded immediately with a try two minutes later scored by Lionel Cronje, in the right-hand corner, following three or four cycles of play.

During the middle stages of the first half, Dale applied pressure and enjoyed plenty of good ball, but the tight Queenian defensive lines held firm. The Dale lock and No.8 were frequently deployed on the crash ball, but were unable to cover much ground thanks again, to deadly first-time tackling. During the final stages of the first half, Queen’s took the initiative and were rewarded with a try scored by fullback Kholo Ramashala, up in support of centre Kathrada Ntabeni, who had beaten his opposite number and sliced through a gap in the opposition defence. A penalty apiece by the respective flyhalves took the half-time score to 15-10 in Queen’s favour.

The early exchanges of the second half were characterised by numerous errors and infringements and the tempo and intensity of the game seemed to take a downward turn with scrappy rugby being played.

Midway through this half, it was the Queen’s side that managed to regain their rhythm and for the remainder of the game, played with more composure, dominating the tight exchanges and maintaining good ball possession. The Dale side on the other hand, appeared a little “rattled”, finding themselves on the back foot for the final 10 minutes.

Queen’s scored their final try with eight minutes remaining, when the ball was worked down the short side and an inside pass given to the ever present left wing Alex Hattingh, who deservedly scored Queen’s final try of the 2005 season. Late pressure from Dale had the home supporters on their feet, but they were unable to convert this pressure into points.

This brings to a conclusion a memorable season for Queen’s, losing only four games this season, three of which were by one or two points. With only three matrics in the current side, the 2006 promises to be even better.

Queen’s would like to place on record their sincere thanks to all Old Boys and friends of Queen’s, for their valued support during the reason. Much gratitude and thanks too, to all sponsors and officials who made the season possible.

Scorers:

For Queen's:
Tries: Lionel Cronje, Kholo Ramashala, Alex Hattingh
Cons: Lionel Cronje 2
Pen: Lionel Cronje

For Dale:
Try: Guy Ranger
Con: Guy Ranger
Pens: Guy Ranger 2

By Mike Boy