Queen’s pip Selborne in tight battle

QUEEN’S College played host to Selborne College as part of their annual reunion weekend, kicking off in very warm conditions at the Recreation Grounds in Queenstown.

The match was billed to be a tight affair and it lived up to expectations.

The large crowd got its money’s worth with a highly entertaining game in which both sides gave everything they had.

Selborne were first to strike when scrumhalf, James Bruce took a quick tap penalty close to the Queen’s line to dive over.

David Coetzer was successful with the conversion to give the visitors an early 0-7 lead.

The Queenians needed to strike back immediately and this they did through a penalty from outside centre, Christopher Hollis.

Queen’s then had an opportunity to score a try after a good run from left wing, Asi Mrubata, who then put in a chip kick, but the bounce of the ball just didn’t go in the favour of the Queen’s fullback who had run an excellent support line.

An excellent line break from Hollis two minutes later led to a try from right wing and captain Mihlali Peter, with Hollis adding the extras to put Queens 10-7 up after 10 minutes.

However, Selborne were soon back on level terms thanks to a Coetzer penalty three minutes later.

Queen’s captain Peter was then sent off shortly afterwards for a suspected tip tackle.

Selborne took advantage of this and was able to dot down for a try in the corner by their captain Sango Xamlashe, with Coetzer missing the conversion.

Xamlashe was then once again on hand with a fine break which led to another try from Selborne, as fullback Miles Norton dotted down in the corner for an unconverted score.

This gave Selborne a 10-20 lead after 20 minutes.

Queens then hit back as vice-captain Dale Venske, dived over after a very good lineout maul, with Hollis slotting the conversion to narrow the gap to three points.

A clean line break from robust Queen’s eighthman Cameron Cato, eventually led to another penalty which Hollis converted to level up the scores at 20-all.

A good line-out steal from Bryan Bless near Selborne’s line saw fly-half Bulela Sotyelelwa break the line and dive over for a fine try to put Queens back in front at 25-20 after the missed conversion.

Coetzer reduced the deficit to just two points with a penalty just before the half time break.

Selborne were then first on the board in the second half as they retook the lead through Coetzer’s third successful penalty.

Five minutes later and Coetzer again converted a penalty for Selborne to stretch the lead to four points at 25-29.

The Queenians then started playing into the wider channels and were able to make good metres.

Hollis crashed over in the corner after a good run by fullback Aviwe Mancotywa, but then missed the conversion, and gave Queens back the lead by a slender point.

With five minutes left in the game Hollis then slotted a 40m penalty to give the home side a 33-29 lead that they would not relinquish despite Selborne attacking with vengeance in the last few minutes as Queens defended with gusto to secure a famous victory over their arch rivals.