Big guns ready for explosive battle
EXCITING rugby action is on the cards this weekend as school derbies kick into high gear across the region tomorrow.
The weekend’s headlining clash for Border teams sees Dale College host rivals Selborne College for their massive reunion derby weekend in King William’s Town.
It is set to be a clash of two in-form sides as they go head-to-head for the first time this year ahead of the return clash at Selborne after the winter break. “The guys are positive, we have had a good build-up to the game and the team is ready and excited for the match,” Dale first XV coach Grant Griffith said.
Dale are still looking to claim their 100th victory over Selborne since doing the double over their fierce rivals in 2012, that took their total wins over Selborne to 99.
However, since then Selborne, who sit on 67 wins while the teams have played out 23 draws overall, have won the last four games against Dale in a row and will want to continue their stranglehold over them.
But playing in front of their home fans, on reunion and in some good form, Dale will fancy themselves a landmark win in the 190th game played between the two sides.
“Being a home game and on reunion it certainly puts a bit more pressure on the guys, but they are looking forward to a good game,” said Griffith.
Dale come into the match off a massive 70-5 victory over Stirling High School in East London last week Wednesday.
It was Dale’s sixth win of the season, offset by just one loss so far, and their fourth win on the trot, including a big win over their biggest rivals Queen’s College in Queenstown two weeks ago, which should give them a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow’s match.
“We have played some good stuff this season and if we can play like we did against Queen’s we will have a very good chance of winning the match,” said Griffith.
Selborne should be in good spirits having bounced back from their loss and draw at the Wildeklawer, to comfortably beat Queen’s at home over the past weekend. Selborne will want to keep the momentum going, especially with a huge match against Grey Bloem coming up next weekend.
The only major derby in East London this weekend sees Cambridge High School host Port Rex in a big clash for the co-ed sides.
Cambridge had a bye this past weekend and have not played since their solid 16-10 win over Graeme College and they will be looking to take that good form into their clash with Port Rex.
Port Rex have shown they are no pushovers with a good win over Stirling to their name so far this season and they will want to keep building and possibly claim some big scalps over the season.
Hudson Park High School head to Port Elizabeth for their derby clash against Pearson.
Hudson have had a good season so far, picking up six wins and two losses and enjoyed a stunning come-from-behind win over Kingswood College over the past weekend.
With confidence high they will look to add Pearson to their list of triumphs this season.
Queen’s will be heading to Grahamstown looking to bounce back from their past weekend loss Selborne with a win over Kingswood.
With Selborne only being their second loss of the season Queen’s will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways and a good performance against Kingswood will get the confidence back.
The last major game sees Grens High travelling to Queenstown for their derby day against rivals Hangklip.
Grens have not enjoyed a great start to the season and they will be looking for a strong win to get the confidence levels up ahead of their big clash against Dale next weekend.
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