Schoonspruit rule the West Coast
It was a warm autumn day with blue skies for the 11th Classic Clash between the two schools. With the win/lost total standing at 5-a piece and Piketberg having won the last three outings all the pressure was on the hosts, Schoonspruit.
In the early age-group games Schoonspruit dominated proceedings with some sparkling running and attacking rugby. The two main teams, however, are renowned for the humdinger contests between them. What was about to follow no one expected.
From the kick-off, Schoonspruit went on the attack and scored the first try within the first minute of the game. The next twenty minutes the boys from Schoonspruit ran their opponents ragged with another four tries being scored. Piketberg simply couldn’t keep up with the pace and were forced into multiple errors.
At the stroke of halftime, Piketberg managed to slot a penalty. Halftime score 29 – 3 in favour of the hosts.
The second half started in similar fashion as Schoonspruit grab the ball from the kick-off and ended behind the sticks for another 7-pointer.
Deep into the second half, Piketberg managed to cross the whitewash with a try thanks to their wing, Alex Ratilained.
However, the hosts had the last say as captain Rhalton du Toit, produced a scintillating break to score under the posts and round of the victory.
Outstanding players for Schoonspruit were fullback Curt-lee Klaasen and the halfback pairing of Alberto Damon and Adrian September.
However, no one could keep up with lanky lock, Jadian Strydom. He scored the first try of the game, were all over the park making tackles, sometimes running like a back with ball in hand and to top it all stole some valuable possession from the opponents in the line-outs.
Schoonspruit head coach Raynard de Jager praised his team's all-round performance after his side's memorable victory.
"Our superior fitness, determination, speed and aggression on both attack and defence as well as general ball skills were phenomenal in this pressure cooking game.
"This truly are one to remember,"
The scorers:
For Schoonspruit:
Tries: Klaasen 2, Du Toit, Damon, Mentoor, McQuire, Strydom
Cons: Damon, Berendse 3
For Piketberg:
Try: Ratilained
Pen: Mouton
Schoonspruit: 15 Curt-Lee Klaasen, 14 Zandré Molligan, 13 Ralthon du Toit, 12 Lucian Berends, 11 Zandré Maarman, 10 Alverto Damon, 9 Adriaan September, 8 Cameron Essex, 7 Nathan Solomons, 6 Dillon Collins, 5 Jadian Strydom, 4 Terence Lesch, 3 Maxwell Mentoor, 2 Keanu McQuire, 1 Renaldo Roems.
Replacements: 16 Rejano America, 17 Devon Owies, 18 Yulrick Pitersen, 19 Jason Sass, 20 Brady Rinkwest, 21 Durwin Fortuin, 21 Ayden Lawrence.
Hoërskool Piketberg: 15 Burdty Joubert, 14 Chris Rheeder, 13 Nicol Visser, 12 Nicki van der Westhuizen, 11 Alex Ratilained, 10 Piere Mouton, 9 Monroe van Rooy, 8 Brietonne Turner, 7 Wian Coetzee, 6 Angus Sifolo, 5 Jacques Mouton, 4 Jac Goosen, 3 Kobus Brand, 2 Dewald van Deventer, 1 Hennie van Zyl.
Replacements: 16 Jody van Tonder, 17 Pieter Grundlingh, 18 Lorenzo Fouché, 19 Dewaldt Lambrechts, 20 Wilhelm van der Merwe, 21 Calib Lintnaar, 22 Cyall Lintnaar, 23 Louis Bester.
Source: Schoonspruit SS
