Tygers dump Donkeys, Bishops held

There were several surprising results to liven up the spirits of those spectators who were prepared to brave the Arctic conditions on the first day of the aptly-named Swartland Winter Festival in Malmesbury on Thursday 12 July 2012.

In by far the most attractive match of the day a majestic performance by a very young Tygerberg team – ten of the starting line-up were in Grade 11 – saw them beat HTS Drostdy 23-16, while the hosts caused quite a few eyebrows to be raised by keeping Bishops at bay for a 7-7 draw in the late game.

Piketberg (3) 13 Brackenfell (3) 3

The festival opener never rose to any great heights, most of the scoring coming from the boots of ’Berg’s Stephan Breunissen and the Brakkes’ Morné Briel.

That’s not to say there weren’t several exciting moments. Only desperate defence by their opponents and infringements just short of the try-line cost the two sides four tries between them.

However, Piketberg flyhalf DJ Koegelenberg did manage to retain possession long enough to register the only try of the game midway through the second period.

Augsburg Gymnasium (22) 22 Despatch (0) 17

The Eastern Cape side’s numerous supporters were almost reduced to tears by an abject first-half performance by their team.

Within 16 minutes, the Clanwilliam team had completed their scoring via four well-earned tries, the pick coming from right wing Johan van Zyl.

Whatever coach Koenie Strumpher said to his Despatch troops at the hot coffee break worked like a charm. The lads in green and yellow came back in stirring style, captain and No.8 JC Crouse leading the way with a Herculean performance which saw him grab a well deserved try.

Unfortunately time ran out with the tourists on the attack, but the rousing reception they received from the appreciative crowd will have gone some way to alleviating the pain of defeat.

Swellendam (12) 20 Vredenburg (10) 15

If one considers that neither of these sides has risen to any dizzying heights this season, this was a delightfully open game full of attacking rugby.

An early Swellies try by centre Jon-Will Cupido was cancelled out ten minutes later by tireless Vredenburg hooker Branigan Barends. Then, when full back Jaydon Pietersen sliced through for a converted try, ’Burg counterpart Brenleigh Smit again restored relative parity on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was largely one of missed opportunities. Reserve centre Sharnick Julies put the coastal team ahead early on, but a penalty by Swellendam flyhalf Romano Windvogel leveled matters and a fine late five-pointer by reserve wing Marionick Carelse won the day.

Strand (15) 36 Charlie Hofmeyr (0) 7

Those cynics who put Strand’s success this season down to a tame fixture list were made to eat their words when the Beach Boys put on a brilliant display of methodical attacking rugby in the face of which Charlie Hofmeyr had little to offer in reply.

The first half yielded only two tries, by scrumhalf Marshall Daars and hooker Phillip Crous, but the best came after half-time, with wave after wave of purple and green attacks battering the Charlies’ defences.

Despite their ascendancy, it took Strand 14 minutes to add to their score via outstanding No.8 Tyrone Jones. Centre Damian Vermeulen gave the Ceres lads hope ten minutes later, but the double blow of touchdowns by fullback Riaan Holtzhauzen and reserve wing Ramsey Youd in the closing minutes decided the outcome in emphatic style.

The reliable tee-work of veteran Strand centre Deon Taljaard bears mention: his efficiency plays a large part in his enterprising side’s fortunes.

Tygerberg High (15) 23 HTS Drostdy (9) 16

The scoreline does not reflect the superiority of a Tygerberg side which brought back fond memories of their showcase 1st XVs of the last few years. Despite taking the field without Craven Week loosehead Morné Nortje and recuperating supercentre Edwin Sass, they ran the ball with verve and a confidence that had the crowd in raptures.

A major hand in this performance was played by nuggety Grade 11 scrumhalf TJ Goddard, who kept his side on the front foot throughout. His two-try reward was fully justified.

The scoring in the first half came from the boot of the Donkeys’ pivot Kelly Olivier, interspersed with Goddard’s first try and long-striding left wing Shane Grundlingh’s 14th of the season, with Tygers’ flyhalf Morné Kotze adding five points.

The try of the day, early in the second period, knocked the stuffing out of the Donkeys. Goddard took a quick tap penalty near the half-way line, catching the entire Drostdy side unawares, sprinted down the touchline, exchanged several passes with team-mates and dived over in the corner.

Another Kotze penalty soon made the score 23-9 and, despite a converted try by centre Sean Walters and high drama in the closing minutes as play swung from goal line to goal line, the Tygers had done more than enough to win the day.

Swartland (0) 7 Bishops (0) 7

The fact that years ago these two schools used to play each other on an annual basis will have meant that Thursday’s clash evoked many pleasant memories for long-time followers of both sides.

The game itself, however, will not live nearly as long as those happy reminiscences. Both teams were guilty of far too many errors, the visitors doubly more so by virtue of their having enjoyed about 70% of the possession.

After a rather frustrating first half the home team finally broke the stalemate early in the second half, centre Riaan Otto cutting through the defence to dot down.

Try as they might, Bishops could only equalise from broken play when hooker Cuan Hablutzel was justly rewarded for his tireless efforts some six minutes from the end.

Swartland were largely required to defend in depth throughout, which they did efficiently, even managing to launch a few attacks of their own.

On the other hand, the southern suburbs youngsters played the kind of rugby one has long associated with this great school, but couldn’t for the life of them put everything together in any one move. The result was like missing the punchline in a lengthy joke. Not misunderstanding it – just not actually hearing it at all.

One has to feel for this group and their faithful entourage, but let them know they are not letting anyone down. Their heartbreaking efforts remind one of the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who was doomed by Zeus to push a huge boulder up a steep hill in perpetuity, only for it to roll back down every time just short of the summit.

Heaven help their opponents on the day on which they do finally click!

By Tony Stoops