Queen's travel to Grey Festival

At the festival there is a total of 11 teams from outside the region, teams from as far afield as Durban, Welkom, Pretoria and Johannesburg will tackle their Eastern Cape rivals in the annual rugby extravaganza.

Queen's coach Dave Bolze shared his excitement: "The Grey Festival is always a highlight for our school to attend. It is not only about the rugby – the boys get to socialise and make friends from other schools," Bolze said.

"For us fellow coaches, it is always good to catch up and spend time together. There is always lots of banter and good cheer, and that is really what festivals should be about," he added.

Many eyes will be on the inform outfit from Uitenhage, Daniël Pienaar, who is coming from two notable wins over Grey High and Framesby, they will certainly be a tough test for Graeme and Hudson Park.

Queen's is also a team to look out for, coming from a fresh win over Selborne the results will have them in a positive frame of mind for the festival, however Bolze and his boys will not underestimate anyone.

"We respect both Pearson and Framesby, and we are expecting two tough, physical matches.

"Framesby, especially, are a much better side than what their results have shown this season – they have had some really tough fixtures,” Bolze said.

Dale kick off they campaign against St David’s and then face an interesting encounter against Welkom team Goudveld.

The Free State side Goudveld, has not often been seen in PE and they will be keen to prove their worth.

Another team looking to make an impression will be Durban High School, celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. Durban High School has shown excellent form this season and will prove a handful for PE township side Ithembelihle and hosts Grey in the final match of the festival.

Day one fixtures:

08:15     U14 Framesby v Dale,  Gordon U14

               U15 Selborne v Framesby,  Old Grey B

               U16 Queen’s v Pearson,  Pyott

09:30    U14 Stirling v Goudveld, Old Grey A

               U14 Queen’s v Pearson, Gordon U14

               U15 Grey (B) v Nico Malan, Pyott

               U16 Selborne v Brandwag, Old Grey B

               U19 Muir v Hudson Park, Philip 1st XV

10:45    U14 Selborne v Brandwag, Gordon U14

               U15 Stirling v Goutveld, Old Grey A

               U15 Queen’s v Pearson, Old Grey B

               U15 Grey v Parktown, Pyott

               U19 Framesby v St Alban’s, Philip 1st XV

12:00    U14 Daniel Pienaar v Graeme, Gordon U14

              U15 Muir v Hudson Park, Old Grey B

              U16 Stirling v Goutveld, Old Grey A

              U16 Grey v Parktown, Pyott

              U19 Dale v St David’s, Philip 1st XV

13:15    U14 Outeniqua v Nico Malan. Gordon U14

              U15 Outeniqua v Dale, Pyott

              U16 Muir v Hudson Park, Old Grey B

              U19 Stirling v Goutveld, Old Grey A

              U19 Daniel Pienaar v Graeme, Philip 1st XV

14:30    U14 Grey v Parktown, Gordon U14

              U15 Daniel Pienaar v Graeme, Old Grey B

              U16 Framesby v Dale, Pyott

              U19 DHS v Ithembelihle, Old Grey A

              U19 Queen’s v Pearson, Philip 1st XV

15:45    U14 Muir v Hudson Park, Gordon U14

              U16 St Alban’s v Nico Malan, Pyott

              U16 Daniel Pienaar v Graeme, Old Grey B

              U19 Grey v Parktown, Philip 1st XV

Day two fixtures:

08:15    U14 Goudveld v Dale, Gordon U14

               U14 Daniel Pienaar v Hudson Park, Police

               U15 Nico Malan v Outeniqua, Old Grey

               U16 Framesby v Queen’s, Pyott

               U19 St Alban’s v Muir, Philip

09:30    U14 Outeniqua v Pearson, Gordon U14

              U15 Daniel Pienaar v Hudson Park, Police

              U16 Parktown v Nico Malan, Old Grey

              U16 Pearson v Dale, Pyott

              U19 St David’s v Ithembelihle, Philip

10:45    U14 Parktown v Nico Malan, Gordon U14

               U15 Grey v Selborne, Police

               U16 St Alban’s v Muir, Old Grey

               U16 Daniel Pienaar v Hudson Park,

               U19 Graeme v Stirling, Philp

12:00    U14 Framesby v Queen’s, Gordon U14

              U15 Graeme v Stirling, Old Grey

              U16 Grey v Selborne, Pyott

              U19 Daniel Pienaar  v Hudson Park, Police

              U19 Goudveld v Dale, Philip

13:15    U14 Grey v Selborne, Gordon U14

               U15 Goudveld v Dale, Police

               U15 Framesby v Queen’s, Pyott

               U16 Graeme v Stirling, Old Grey

               U19 Parktown v Pearson, Philip

14:30    U14 Graeme v Brandwag, Gordon U14

              U15 Grey (B) v Pearson, Pyott

              U15 Parktown v Muir, OLd Grey

              U16 Goudveld v Brandwag, Police

               U19 Framesby v Queen’s, Philip

15:45    U14 Muir v Stirling, Gordon U14

              U19 Grey v DHS, Philip

by Neale Emslie