Queen's snatch victory
The Derby encounter between Queen’s and Grey failed to meet expectations and the quality of rugby on display would have disappointed spectators, who would have anticipated much more from these two top schoolboy sides.
Neither side was able to find its rhythm or stamp its authority on the game, and disjointed passages of play were observed. A possible reason may well have been the energy sapping heat and high humidity with which players had to contend throughout the game.
During the first half, Grey appeared content to spread the ball wide while Queen’s opted for the tighter game using their forwards to drive the ball up the midfield. The Queen’s backline were a little guilty of lateral running, and struggled to cross the advantage line, probably as a result of the poor backfoot ball they were receiving from their forwards.
Flyhalf Lionel Cronje, kicked two penalties for Queen’s while Grey scored the only try of the game in the 15th minute, following a line-out 10 metres from the Queen’s try-line. A strong forward maul enabled Grey to barge their way over to score their first, and only points, of the game. The half-time score was 7-6 to Grey.
During the second half, the Queenians appeared more focused and enoyed a significant territorial advantage for most of the half, but for some inexplicable reason, kicked much of their good possession back to the opposition. One of the few moments of excitement came in the 10th minute when left wing Sbura Sithole ran well, chipped the ball over the opposition backline, but was tackled just short of the Grey try-line.
With one or two minutes remaining on the clock, it seemed as though Grey would hang onto their narrow lead and clinch victory, but true to form, the “never say die” attitude which is often associated with Queenians, rallied. From deep within their own 22 metre area, Queen’s ran the ball, which caught the Grey defenders napping. Fullback Kholo Ramashala showed a clean pair of heels as he carried the ball for 50 metres before chipping over the cross cover for the final chase towards the try-line. The Grey fullback gathered the ball, but was caught in possession and penalised for not releasing, to allow Cronje to slot the all important match winning points – 9-7 and a victory for Queens!
While certainly not champagne rugby, a win against Grey on their home ground in Port Elizabeth, is always something special – well done lads.
To add insult to injury, the Queen’s 1st Hockey team gave a fine display, to record a memorable 3-2 victory over their Grey counterparts on the new Grey Astro turf.
Queen’s will be looking to regroup as they go back to the drawing board to prepare for another very tough match against a competent Selborne team in East London tomorrow. Much will be expected from the Queenians who will be looking to regain the form that has earned them respect from local opposition.
By Mike Boy
