St John's unbeaten at Wynberg
Tour Report
St John's of Johannesburg went down to Wynberg Boys' High for their 165th birthday rugby festival over the last long weekend, and won both of their matches.
Rondebosch proved to be a tougher nut than was predicted. They tackled like demons, spoilt what ever quick ball that St John's tried to clear from the base of the scrum, and restricted the Johannesburg visitors to two tries and replied with one of their own. May be playing against their previous year's vice-captain, Kyle Wickins, added more determination to their game, and they went down bravely 10 – 22.
Noord-Kaap had shown in their first match against Westville, that they were big, hard tackling boys that meant business! Some serious psyching was required by the College players before they ran on against the huge boys from Kimberly.
The adrenalin was pumping from the kick off, and after a serious set of attacks down the middle by Noord-Kaap, St. John's looked as though were really up against it! But the defence held, and St John's immediately responded with an electrifying break by Beckley their inside centre. From his own 10 metre he carved a path, slicing through the opposition until under the posts. They were left stunned as Catrakilis converted.
Was this the inspiration St John's needed? It seems so, as soon after captain Niven also produced the carving knife, cutting through to score under the posts.Another easy kick for Catrakilis and a cushion of 14 points appeared on the score board.
The match swung back and forth and became some what heated after a number of telling tackles by St John's.
Temperatures were still running when Noord-Kaap eventually found the savvy to play wide and scored with their wing Fredericks in the corner. The conversion was too tight for them and the score stood at 14-5.
With blood still on the boil St John's came back with a try by fullback Ramela. The second half remained just as entertaining, wide play from both sides, telling tackles bringing attacks to an end, until after prolonged pressure Noord-Kaap crossed in the corner once more.The try right in the corner was too much for them to convert. 19-10. Earlier during this period St John's lock Charles Baggott had broken through to cross the try-line, but mysteriously threw a pass to no-one, instead of just dotting down? No doubt to make amends he broke the line like a seasoned center a second time, to score his first try of the season. Catrakilis converted, 26-10.
With their tails up College scored once more through wing Hansmeyer. Final score 31-10. Seven tries in an entertaining game, true to the spirit of the Wynberg Festival.
By Rex Wickins
