SACS stun Bishops

In a highly entertaining and exciting match played on the Piley Rees field at Bishops, SACS produced by far their best performance of the season to draw 22-all with Bishops. Although SACS never led in the game they deserved to and should have gone on to win.

Things looked ominous for SACS early on. The last time SACS visited the Piley Rees they were embarrassed. When two pieces of individual brilliance by flank Greg Mallett saw Bishops skip out into a 12-nil lead, within the first ten minutes, it looked as if a repeat could be on the cards. Showing great pace Mallett first scored himself and then put fullback Lee Bruinders in for their second.

Led from the front though by loose-forwards Adam Normann and Dugald Robertson and sparked from the back by Rodney Mthi, SACS defended like Trojans and began to string together some fluid passages of play themselves. It was aggressive and patient defence that forced the error from the Bishops backs that saw SACS fight their way back into contention on the stroke of half-time. Rodney Mthi swooped onto a loose pass and ran 50-metres to score. Tim Carr converted to leave SACS trailing 12-7 at the interval.

The second half was tense and enthralling throughout. A good period of well-structured phase play led to SACS’s second try. Great hands on the blindside saw Ishmat Fakier put into space. He still had work to do though and scored leaving a few would-be defenders in his wake. Fakier’s purposeful and powerful running epitomised the intensity that SACS showed all over the field, all match.

With the scores level and SACS playing most of the rugby the SACS players and supporters began to sense an upset. Their hopes were soon doused though when Bishops captain and No.8 Nic Koster, who otherwise had a very quiet match, set up a score. From a scrum on the right Koster broke blind. The SACS defenders were sucked in and Koster released Michael Nel who had the pace to finish from 40-metres out. Flyhalf Doug Mallett converted to leave the score at 19-12 to the hosts.

Rodney Mthi, SACS’s very own pocket rocket, stepped up again to draw the teams level. Mthi’s half-break put Aaron Jacobs into the clear. Jacobs fed Fakier who steamed over for his second. The tension was tangible and it seemed as if the confusing tackle law was going to scupper SACS. SACS skipper Zack Beukman failed to release on command and it seemed for all money that Doug Mallett was going to be the unlikely hero as he goaled a long-range penalty.

Showing great character SACS weren’t finished though and kept coming at their hosts. Wave after wave of attack and finally the line-break fell to left-wing Dean Holland. One-on-one with Bruinders he probably should have backed himself. He chose to pass though and Mthi juggled the ball and was swamped by the cover. Bishops had been off-side though and Tim Carr had the opportunity to draw SACS level. He showed great composure to convert the penalty and bring an end to a rousing contest.

It was great team effort by SACS and a much needed one at that. Special mention though must be made of the frontrow, both first choice and the substitutes, who scrummed so well to all but neutralise Bishop’s star player. Normann and Robertson, who played like men possessed throughout, Mthi who was electric and Fakier who was pure power.

Scorers:

For Diocesan College (Bishops)
Tries: Greg Mallett, Lee Bruinders, Michael Nel
Cons: Doug Mallett 2
Pen: Doug Mallett

For South African College High School (SACS)
Tries: Rodney Mthi, Ishmat Fakier 2
Cons: Tim Carr 2
Pen: Carr

By Graeme Wepener