Selborne far too good for Queen's

In an old Border rivalry, Queen’s College came down from Queenstown to Selborne College in East London and went down to them 76-13.

The result is probably not a fair indication of the contest between the two schools as Selborne scored 31 points in the last 10 minutes to inflate the result. That is not the same as saying that Selborne were not far and away the stronger side. They were.

By half-time they led 24-0. In that half, Queen’s were playing with the wind but it took the home side just three minutes to score their first try when a penalty became a five-metre line-out, the line-out became a maul and the maul produced a try for flank Dean Stokes, converted by Thomas Bursey, one of five SA Schools players in this remarkable Selborne side.

The next two tries came from penalties tapped and scored by forwards – the first by SA Schools lock Jarrod Taylor, the second by SA Schools hooker Jacques Goosen. After phases and as the referee allowed advantage, outside centre Likhaya Tengimfene scored to end the half.

Queen’s kicked off to start the second, Troy Mynhardt broke and raced downfield, ending in a try for Xamlashe. 31-0 and the half was a minute old. A minute later a penalty goal by Aviwe Kanuka got Queen’s on the board at last.

In fact the visitors had their best passage of play at this time, scoring two tries to one in the next 19 minutes,

From an attacking line-out, lively Kanuka scored, and, after Goosen had again tapped a penalty and scored, penalties set Queen’s on the attack and prop Ali Gqaza scored. 38-13 after 50 minutes.

That light purple patch of Queen’s was followed by Selborne’s patch of bright purple as they doubled their score in 20 minutes.

First Selborne advanced in phases and then bashed at the line, where Goosen completed his hat-trick. Queen’s were in the Selborne 22 when they were penalised. Selborne tapped and left wing Mntungwa Mapantsela scored after excellent running and handling.

From the kick-ff Selborne ran and Mynhardt passed inside to substitute wing James Flanagan who enjoyed his try. 57-13 with 8 minutes to play.

Eight minutes and 19 points from tries by Jarrod Ramsay, Xamlashe and Ramsay again. At the kick-off after Xamlashe’s try the referee announced that there was one move left in the match. In that time, Ramsay simply beat opponents by speed to score.

Scorers

For Selborne:

Tries: Dean Stokes, Jacques Goosen 3, Likhaya Tengimfene, Siba Xamlashe 2, Mntungwa Mapantsela, Flanagan, Jarrod Ramsay 2, Jarrod Taylor
Cons: Thomas Bursey 6, Jordan Janse van Rensburg 2

For Queen’s:
Tries: Aviwe Kanuka, Ali Gqaza
Pen: Aviwe Kanuka

Teams

Selborne College: 15 Siba Xamlashe (captain), 14 Jarrod Ramsay, 13 Likhaya Tengimfene, 12 Mnombo Zwelindaba, 11 Mntungwa Mapantsela, 10 Jordan Janse van Rensburg, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Rayden Masters, 7 Troy Mynhardt, 6 Dean Stokes, 5 Grant Pretorius, 4 Jarrod Taylor, 3 Shakeel Naidoo, 2 Jacques Goosen, 1 Akalinekeli Dlakavu

Queen’s College: 15 Sivuyisiwe Mdingi, 14 Sixolile Lumko, 13 Mandilakhe Sibeko, 12 Enrique Oranje (captain), 11 Siya Tyulu, 10 Sinethemba Tshunungwa, 9 Aviwe Kanuka, 8 Chumani Gatyeni, 7 Odwa Mkefa, 6 Euan de Jager, 5 Samkelisiwe Mxabangeli, 4 Sven Sorensen, 3 Ali Gqaza, 2 Tyrone Lottering, 1 Oscar Nogqala

Referee: Rod Harris (Border Referees’ Society)
Assistant referees: Lyle Hansen (Border Referees’ Society), Tendayi Gurure (Border Referees’ Society)