Queen's in Selborne thriller
The first XV rugby match, played in very warm conditions, kicked off at 15.30 on the Recreation Grounds.
The match was billed to be a tight affair and it lived up to the expectations. The large crowd truly got its money’s worth with a highly entertaining game in which both sides gave everything they had to emerge as victors.
Selborne were first to strike when scrumhalf, James Bruce took a quick tap penalty close to the Queen’s line to dive over. David Coetzer was successful with the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead after three minutes of play.
The Queenians needed to strike back immediately and this they did through a penalty from the impressive outside centre, Christopher Hollis.
Queen’s then had an opportunity to score a try after a good run from the left wing, Asi Mrubata, who then put in a chip kick. The bounce of the ball just didn’t go in the favour of the Queen’s fullback who had run an excellent support line.
An excellent line break from Hollis two minutes later led to a try from right wing, and captain, Mihlali Peter. Hollis converted the try to take the score to 10-7 in the favour of Queen’s after 10 minutes of play. Coetzer added a penalty for Selborne three minutes later to take the scores to 10-10.
Mihlali Peter, from Queen’s, was sent off shortly afterwards for a suspected tip tackle. Selborne then took advantage of this and were able to dot down for a try in the corner from their captain Sango Xamlashe. Coetzer was unable to convert the try.
This left the score at 15-10 in favour of Selborne. Xamlashe was once again on hand with a fine break which led to another try from Selborne. This time fullback, Miles Norton, dotted down in the corner. Coetzer missed the conversion and Selborne then had a 10 point lead; 20-10 after 20 minutes of play.
The Queenians were next to register points. Queen’s set a maul from the line-out. Dale Venske broke from the maul and set off on a 10-metre jinking run, which saw him run over a Selborne player on the line and score a brilliant try. Hollis slotted the conversion to narrow the gap to three points, 20-17.
A clean line break from the robust Queen’s No.8, Cameron Cato, eventually led to another penalty which Hollis converted to level up the scores at 20-20.
A very good line-out steal from Bryan Bless near Selborne’s line saw Bulela Sotyelelwa, the flyhalf, break the line and dive over for a fine try to take the score to 25-20 in Queen’s favour. Hollis missed the conversion. A penalty converted by Coetzer brought the half-time score to 25-23 in favour of the hosts.
Selborne were the first team to register points in the second half through a penalty from Coetzer which gave Selborne a one-point lead. 26-25. Five minutes later Coetzer again converted a penalty for Selborne to take the lead to four points. 29-25.
The Queenians then started playing into the wider channels and were able to make good metres. Hollis crashed over in the corner after a good run by fullback, Aviwe Mancotywa. Hollis did not succeed with the conversion and this then gave the home side a one point lead 30-29.
With five minutes left in the game Hollis slotted a 40m penalty to give the home side a 33-29 lead. Selborne attacked with vengeance in the last few minutes, but the Queenians defended with gusto to secure a famous victory over their arch rivals.
By Clinton Löest
Photo: Bulela Sotyelelwa dives to score; Photo: Alroy Kriedemann
