Zwartkop edge Eldos

On the day the atmosphere did not disappoint – the history books were going to be rewritten. An estimated 4,500 spectators attended the main match between the first teams and it was a thrilling match between the two rivals.

Eldoraigne's Reinhard Heymans scored within the first five minutes from a line-out driving mall and Emilio Potgieter converted the try. Zwartkop immediately attacked and a forward pass denied the home team a try.

Zwartkop had the majority of the possession in the first half and through very good defence from Eldoraigne battled to score a try, but Miche Groenewald slotted a penalty after a missed attempt and the score was 7-3 in Eldoraigne's favour.

Zwartkop's solid scrum and line-outs in the game also stood out with four excellent line-breaks from Zwarries fullback Henco Venter. It was after some pressure in the scrums that Zwartkop was awarded a free-kick after a scrum and a training field move that gave Zwartkop the lead with Miche Groenewald going over for the try.

Groenewald missed the conversion and half-time score saw Zwartkop edge ahead 8-7.

Eldoraigne had a quite a few chances in the second half but through solid defence and pressure, Zwarries denied Eldoraigne any points – even though they had more possession. Emilio Potgieter missed a relatively easy penalty and Zwarries also had an opportunity to score through some quick hands by the forwards but the sideline won.

Miche Groenewald slotted another penalty to hand Zwartkop an 11-7 lead.

The last five minutes of the match was one of the most nail biting school matches I have ever attended and will stay with me for many years. Zwarries had to defend with their lives and indeed they did as Eldoraigne had two attempts in the last two minutes.

But, thanks to brilliant defence by the forwards, Zwartkop denied the visitors a win away from home.

Scorers:

For Zwartkop:

Try: Miche Groenewald

Pens: Miche Groenewald 2

Eldoraigne:

Try: Reinhard Heymans

Con: Emilio Potgieter

By Marius Horn – Zwartkop