Bragging rights at stake at K-Day derby

NOT only will K-Day bragging rights be at stake, but St Andrew’s will also be putting their unbeaten local record on the line when they clash with Kingswood at St Andrew’s in Grahamstown on Saturday (3.30pm)

The home outfit have emerged as the team to beat this season, having put all Eastern Cape opposition to the sword, including notable wins over Selborne and Grey High.

This installs them as the favourites to get back on the winning trail in this annual derby after Kingswood claimed the spoils in both 2015 and last year.

Despite their success this season, St Andrew’s coach Carl Bradfield is confident his players will forget about what has happened so far and be fully focused on Saturday’s encounter.

“This period is not necessarily one big challenge at the end,” he said.

“It’s more about a week of healthy preparation, facing each challenge at a time and then responding to the situations created and presented on the field.

“We try our best to keep the players focused on their weekly routines in preparation, one task at a time.”

To have a chance of making it three in a row, Kingswood will have to break down a strong home defensive system.

St Andrew’s director of rugby Andy Royle said he believed their work on defence, coupled with a belief in attack had led to their successful season.

“We will be looking to improve our set-piece and breakdown in this game,” he said.

Kingswood coach Gareth Shaw acknowledged it would be a tough match, but that they were focused.

“We have had some mixed results this season, but we put together a really good performance in the second half against Grens last week so that has done a lot for our confidence,” he said.

“Our build-up this week has gone really well and I have told the guys to enjoy the occasion, but they will be focused on what needs to be done.”

Shaw said many of the current side had seen Kingswood do well in K-Day, which would create a positive mood in their ranks, in contrast to the period when St Andrew’s were unbeaten for 18 years from 1994.

“These guys have a belief in their ability and are ready to leave everything out there.”

With a strong wind predicted for Saturday in the region, it could be a levelling factor, while a lot will also depend on which team handles the sense of the occasion better.

St Andrew’s havea slightly better record against common opponents this season.

Both teams lost to Bishops (St Andrew’s 29-21, Kingswood 16-13), beating Pearson (St Andrew’s 37-11, Kingswood 12-7).

However, Kingswood lost to Hudson Park (41-12), whom St Andrew’s beat in the Graeme Rugby Day 31-7.