Union get one over Muir
Union High school managed to get one over old rivals Muir College when they narrowly defeated them 24-27 on Saturday.
A traditional rivalry going back many years, older than some of the current players between Muir and Union High was a humdinger of a match and went down to the final whistle.
Union dominated the first 15 minutes of the match slotting a penalty by Jason Vers and scoring a good try by right wing Cinga Mbinda to make the score 8-0. Union relaxed a bit and Muir replied with a penalty and a brilliant drop-goal from Ruben de Vos to make the score 8-6 at half time.
Two different teams ran out in the second-half and wanted to play with more purpose. Five tries were scored in the half, three by Union High and two by Muir.
Union extended their lead early in the second-half by running in a well worked try when Muir’s defense was caught napping and Union centre Julio Abels went over for the try. Muir clawed their way back through the boot of de Vos who added two penalties to make the score 15-12.
Irrespective of the five tries, both teams defended well and made full use of their opportunities.
Union’s tries were scored by their backs after their forwards laid a good foundation. Muir’s first try was scored by outside center Lunathi Nxele went over and the trusty boot of De Vos meant that Muir went into a 19-156 lead with less than a quarter of the game to go.
Another try for Union meant that the momentum had once again shifted in their favour after wing Bongo Nobula scored and Vers converted which meant that Union lead 22-19 with under ten minutes to play.
With five minutes left on the clock Muir struck again with their star player of the day fullback De Vos scoring a converted try to take the score to 26-22 in favour of Muir.
All looked doom and gloom for Union with Muir going to poles for a penalty inside their own half with only one minute to go. The penalty fell short of the poles and the Union backs ran the ball out of there half into the Muir 22.
The hosts took a quick tap from a penalty and wing Bongo Nobula scored a try in the right corner to win the game for Union 27-26.
The scorers:
For Muir:
Tries: De Vos, Nxele
Con: De Vos
Pens: 2
DG: De Vos
For Union:
Tries: Mbinda, Abels, Nobula 2
Cons: Fers 2
Pen: Fers
By Lyntin Gouws
