St Andrew’s firsts enjoy successful tennis season

The St Andrew’s first tennis team reclaimed the Knowling Shield with victories over Graeme and Kingswood in Makhanda earlier this term.

That event signalled the end of the 2018/2019 summer season for St Andrew’s and the club can be proud of its overall efforts.

The number of boys taking part in the sport is higher than in many years, with more than 60 across the age groups.

The first team achieved fine results, playing 18 matches, winning 13 and losing five.

What was most impressive was the way the team worked together this season under the leadership of captain Ignus Potgieter and vice-captain Dylan Bowker.

At the end of a successful season, the following awards were made:

Team jerseys: James Sparks, Tiro Segalo, Ryan Waddell, Guy Murray.

Tennis colours: Dylan Bowker (re-award), Dylan Marx, Nic Rogan, Robbie Houghton.

● In a game that never reached any great heights, St Andrew’s still managed to run out comfortable 27-13 winners against SACS from Cape Town in the Pam Golding Properties Graeme Rugby Day in Makhanda on Saturday.

SACS scored first after soaking up territorial pressure when a breakout down the left saw them cross for a 5-0 lead.

St Andrew’s put unnecessary pressure on themselves by losing first-phase ball.

It took an intercept from right wing Stewart Smith to open the scoring for the Makhanda side, with the conversion from Connor Stulich putting them 7-5 in front.

A penalty saw SACS regain the lead until Dylan Wilson crashed over for St Andrew’s after a good passage of play.

Stulich converted and the lead remained 14-8 at halftime.

A moment of brilliance from Andrew Coxwell kept the pressure on SACS as he scored an 80m try after a well-worked set-play move, pushing St Andrew’s 19-8 in front.

Another try for replacement scrumhalf Sinjin Broad pushed St Andrew’s further out before SACS came back to narrow the gap on the scoreboard.

St Andrew’s rounded things off with a penalty by Stulich, leaving the final score at 27-13.