Thrilling game goes to Kingswood
Kingswood College 1st XV beat Graeme College at City Lord’s in another Grahamstown derby on Saturday, by 14-7. Graeme may have been favourites before the game, but the home team’s defense and superior commitment on the day gave them a thrilling victory.
The game was played in blustery conditions and thus both sides did not produce their best rugby, with both teams managing only one try each. The game was characterised by a tough forward battle, especially in the scrums and rucks, while Kingswood’s best attacking play always had innovative scrumhalf Charlie Purdon at the forefront.
Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, Kingswood scored whenever they got into Graeme territory, with fullback Cliff Savage not letting the wind put him off as he converted two penalties.
The wind was so strong that this 6-0 lead did not seem substantial when the teams changed sides. But when Graeme flank Bradley Berriman spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for chirping the referee and Kingswood staff member Quinton Tait about a knock-on decision, which was going his own team’s way, Kingswood then scored a turnover try through flyhalf Hugh Savage and they were in a good position for a memorable win.
Graeme reduced the deficit to four points via a Berriman try after a good forward drive and going into the final ten minutes it was still anyone’s game. Cliff Savage kicked his third penalty, 14 -7 to Kingswood and this was the way it would stay.
Graeme pressed hard for a draw in the final stages, but as throughout the entire game, Kingswood’s tight defense held firm.
Other scores
Kingswood vs Graeme
U9A: Graeme won 36-21
U11C: Graeme won 27-0
U11A: Kingswood won 7-5
U13C: Kingswood won 3-0
U13A: Graeme won 22 – 14
U14A: Graeme won 26-3
U15A: Graeme won 62-0
6th: Graeme won 27-12
5th: Kingswood won 10-5
4th: Graeme won 39-19
3rd: Graeme won 10-7
2nd: Graeme won 13-5
1st: Kingswood won 14 – 7
Graeme vs St Andrew’s Prep on Wednesday 25 July
U9A: Graeme won 17-14
U11A: Graeme won 17-0
U13D: Graeme won 27-5
U13B: Graeme won 12-0
U13A: Graeme won 5-0
Graeme U15B vs St Andrew’s U15C: Graeme won 26-10
By Grant Ball
