Schools Day at Newlands
Tuesday, 12 March 2019 was Schools Day at Newlands, a day, dating back nearly 90 years, when schools get a chance to play on the great ground which has been a home for rugby players for 129 years.
The first Schools Day was held at Newlands in 1932 but abandoned in 1950 and then resuscitated, in a different form, in 2014.
There were seven matches of 20-minute halves held amidst a festival atmosphere in a packed grandstand at Newlands, as the teams celebrated the start of a new season.
Each game showcased the encouraging level of skill and commitment in the schools rugby game, with the crowd treated to a fine display of running rugby without kicks at goal for penalties or conversions.
In the first match of schoolboys playing for clubs junior teams, Collegians RFC scored a try in each half to see off a determined Busy Bees RFC side that never stopped pushing them.
Parel Vallei pulled away in the second half against Kasselsvlei, after a scoreless first half. Once the gaps started opening up, Parel Vallei ran in five tries and conceded just one, to prevail 25-5.
Milnerton were forced to work hard for their 5-0 win against Brackenfell. Their solitary try came in the first half and was enough to edge past Brackenfell in a close game.
Wynberg took a 5-0 lead into half-time against Bellville High and scored two further tries in the second half to wrap up a 15-0 win, with their defence standing firm under pressure from Bellville.
SACS were too strong for Stellenberg, scoring three tries in the first half and two more in the second to claim a 25-10 win. To their credit, Stellenberg fought back bravely in the second half, which saw each team score twice, but it was not enough to overcome an impressive SACS team.
Rondebosch and Boland Landbou shared the spoils as they fought out an entertaining 10-10 draw. Rondebosch seemed to have the upper hand and scored first, but Boland Landbou hit back just before half-time.
The second half was similar, with Rondebosch striking first and then Boland Landbou finding a way to score and level matters once again.
The final match saw Paarl Boys’ High go up against Paul Roos. Both schools bringing huge contingents of boys, which created a fantastic atmosphere.
The rugby was just as intense as both teams gave absolutely everything in a hugely physical encounter.
Paul Roos managed to get some territory in the first half and bulldozed their way over from close quarters for what would be the only try of the match.
They took a slender 5-0 advantage into the break and defended it in the second half, despite being down to 13 as the result of two late yellow cards.
Newlands Schools Day Results
Busy Bees vs Collegians, 10-0
Parel Vallei vs Kasselsvlei, 25-5
Milnerton vs Brackenfell, 5-0
Wynberg vs Bellville, 15-0
SACS vs Stellenberg, 25-10
Rondebosch vs Boland Landbou, 10-10
Paul Roos vs Paarl Boys’ High, 5-0
From Western Province RFU
