St Andrews sneak past Brandwag

St Andrews College from Grahamstown fought back to narrowly pip Brandwag 19-18 in Uitenhage during their schools rugby match at the weekend.

Brandwag fullback Nicholas Lourens collected a well placed kick from Malcom Jaer, employed at centre instead of flyhalf, to open the scoring with a try in the corner. Jaer's conversion missed, but ten minutes later he made a break in the midfield after receiving the ball from Lourens on his outside.

Jaer was stopped meters short, but passed to Lourens who scored under the posts. Jaer converted and then succeeded with a penalty. Brandwag led 15-0 at the break.

In the second half inside centre Ryan Horne opened the scoring for St Andrews with a try resulting from his own break. Horne also converted the try. Then St Andrews lock Tyler Paul made a break in the midfield which led to flyhalf Ethan Fortuin scoring in the corner. Horne converted and Brandwag's lead diminished to 15-14. Jaer kicked a penalty to give Brandwag breathing space at 18-14, but fullback Courtney Archer scored in the corner after the St Andrews backline moved the ball wide quickly following a scrum.

The visitors took the lead 19-18 for the first time in the match with ten minutes left.

Brandwag came back on the attack, but were tackled ferociously. Once time had run out Brandwag were awarded a penalty. Jaer's kick landed just short of the crossbar.  

St Andrews came away with a hard-fought 19-18 win to remain unbeaten this season.

The scorers:

For Brandwag:

Tries: Lourens 2

Con: Jaer

Pens: Jaer 2

For St Andrews:

Tries: Horne, Fortuin, Archer

Con: Horne 2

The teams:

Die Brandwag: Not Available

St Andrews: 15. Courtney Archer, 14 Mbulelo Mama, 13, Robert Ball, 12 Ryan Horne, 11 Roy Bowles, 10 Ethan Fortuin, 9 Jason Baggot, 8 Stuart Stopforth, 7 Matt Andrews, 6 Tristian Van Heteran, 5 Sintu Manjezi (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Adrian Parsons, 2 Tom Filmer, 1 David Murray.

By Karen Pienaar