Queen’s try in vain to overcome Grey edge
GREY High scored seven tries to outlast Queen’s 45-38 in a spirited schools rugby encounter played at the Rec ground in Queenstown on Saturday.
Although the visitors won their fourth match in a row against their Border rivals, the home side never stopped trying and had the final say when they scored two late tries.
However, Grey had built up a 19-point lead in the second half when they led 38-19 and then 45-26, and the leeway proved too much for Queen’s to make up in the end.
The match followed a fluctuating pattern as each side created scoring opportunities when they were behind and this resulted in very little comfort for the coaches and the teams’ respective supporters.
After each side scored two tries to make it 12-12 in the first half, Queen’s struck to go 19-12 ahead.
But Grey showed their attacking ability when Andrew Dalgleish and Yolisa Dladla cut through for two converted tries, giving the visitors a 26-19 edge at the break.
Soon after the restart, Grey built up what turned out to be a crucial lead considering the way Queen’s fought back late in the game.
Lock Dumisa Ngcivana scored his second try of the match and captain Corne Slabbert was on hand for the final pass from Joshua Oosthuysen to score under the poles.
That made it 38-19 before Queen’s hit back with their fourth try, only for Grey to again increase the lead to 19 points when slick handling by their backs saw Liyema Matyolweni cross under the poles to make it 45-26.
Queen’s refused to go away and finished the match with two excellent tries, but their efforts ultimately proved in vain.
Scorers: Grey 48: Tries: CJ Greeff, Ngcivana (2), Dalgleish, Corne Slabbert, Matyolweni, Dladla. Conversions: Matt Easton (3), LJ du Preez (2). Queen’s 38: Tries: Siya Tulu (2), Odwa Mfeka, Chumani Gatyeni, Sven Sorensen, Ali Gqaza. Conversions: Aviwe Kanuka (4).
Brandwag v DP
FIRED-UP Brandwag came from behind to score a 26-10 away victory over Uitenhage rivals Daniel Pienaar on Saturday. Brandwag scored four tries to Daniel Pienaar’s one to secure a sixth consecutive victory in the annual FNB Classic Clash.
In scorching hot weather, Daniel Pienaar had a slight advantage in territory and possession during the first half, but spent much of the second with their backs to the wall.
In turn, the visitors had a slow start but eventually dominated all phases.
After 18 minutes, Daniel Pienaar were first to cross the tryline with centre Shemondrey Hannes collecting a fine stab-through by flyhalf Sachin Toring.
Brandwag answered with five minutes remaining in the half when scrumhalf Octavian Muller scored from a quick tap with not a hand being laid on him.
Daniel Pienaar fullback Brandon Boshoff converted Hannes’s try and added a penalty to give the home side a 10-5 lead at the break.
In the second half, Brandwag controlled play and Daniel Pienaar could not add to their score.
It took less than a minute for towering Brandwag lock Gideon Serfontein to crash over the whitewash. Fullback Dano Swart converted to put them 12-10 ahead.
Swart added another try for the visitors when the defence bought his dummy in the midfield. The fullback converted his own try and Brandwag led 19-10.
In the last minute of the game, Brandwag replacement Ryden Dupont placed himself on the receiving end of a failed quick throw-in by Daniel Pienaar and dived in for the visitors’ fourth try.
ý Other results: Humansdorp 38 Otto 20, Woodridge 63 Alex 0, PJ Olivier 27 Linkside 24, Kingswood 41 Hudson 20, St Andrew’s 34 Graeme 14, Despatch 34 Pearson 17, Westering 36 VP 19, Nico Malan 82 Muir 0.