Wynberg do the double on SACS
Wynberg Boys’ High 1st XV completed a season double over traditional rivals the South African College High School (SACS).
After another week of rain and cold the skies opened and the match was played in warm weather before a large crowd. Hosts SACS threw everything at Wynberg but the well-oiled Wynberg machine bided their time and took their chances better to run out 34-5 winners
.
Wynberg were up 10-nil within the first ten minutes thanks to ill-discipline by SACS. A high tackle was penalised on four minutes and prodigious fullback Karl Martin put the visitors on the board. A few more penalties followed and Martin kicked Wynberg in to the SACS quarter. SACS repelled the line-out drive but a few phases of pick-and-go later tighthead prop Alex Goldstein went over.
It was always going to be uphill for SACS from there. They dominated the middle period of the half but were unable to turn their opportunities into points. Centre Dom Sherrell cut clear through but pulled a hamstring on route to the line while a final try scoring pass was later ruled forward. With nothing to show for their efforts things almost got worse for SACS when Martin lined up along range shot just before the interval, which uncharacteristically he missed to the left.
SACS dropped the second half kick-off and were immediately under pressure. Wynberg attacked through the phases and flyhalf Mitch Lotz took the ball to the line and ran through untouched from ten metres out. Martin did the necessary and it was 17-nil.
SACS replacement fullback Athi Gazi proved a revelation on the day running the ball back at Wynberg brilliantly but he got in a tangle under a high ball with his captain and gifted Wynberg another three points for obstruction fifteen minutes into the half.
SACS eventually got down into the Wynberg quarter but Wynberg defended brilliantly as they have all season. It took SACS five cracks at the line to eventually break them down. Flyhalf Jordan Chait weaved his way over but was unable to convert his own try.
SACS once again made a meal of getting out of their half from the kick-off and the classy Wynberg outfit needed no second invitation to strike. Once again a period of phase play set up hooker Michael Koen, deputising for the injured Bevan Barnard, for another well worked try. Martin drove the knife further in.
SACS continued to attack with centre Keagan de Villiers prominent but as had been the case all game long their finishing let them down. Their plight was summed up when they created another opportunity out to the left only for the final pass to fall into the hands of Wynberg flank Josh Helmbold who ran ninety metres to score.
Overall it was a very entertaining game but Wynberg were worthy winners. Hard work gets rewarded and the Wynberg 1st XV of 2014, many of whom also played in 2013, have been rewarded for their monumental efforts over two seasons by being one of the best 1st XV’s in Wynberg history. Their hard work together has seen them forge a great bond that has seen them withstand almost everything thrown at them this year.
Scorers:
For SACS
Try: Jordan Chait
For Wynberg:
Tries: Alex Goldstein, Michael Koen, Mitch Lotz, Josh Helmbold
Conversions: Karl Martin 4
Penalties: Martin 2
Teams
SACS: 15 Ciaran Dayaram, 14 Damian Rawstorne, 13 Dominic Sherrell, 12 Keagan de Villiers, 11 Aaqil Ebrahim, 10 Jordan Chait, 9 Michael Henning (captain), 8 Justin Williams, 7 Thomas Posen, 6 Dylan Hadzigrigoriou, 5 Robbie Mylrea, 4 Connor Osborne, 3 Alexander Duckitt, 2 Chayse Tyler, 1 Brandon Sweet
Wynberg: 15 Karl Martin, 14 Enrach Swanson, 13 Ibrahim Adams, 12 Jihaad Smith, 11 Grant Turner, 10 Mitch Lotz, 9 Ryan Southern, 8 Keagan Timm (captain), 7 Josh Helmbold, 6 Hishaam Davids, 5 Michael Pollecutt, 4 Brandon Wood, 3 Alex Goldstein, 2 Michael Koen, 1 Sam Henrique
Referee: Hennie Botma (Western Province Referees' Society)
