St Andrew’s in last-gasp thriller with Graeme

In a tightly contested schools rugby clash which was on a knife’s edge throughout, St Andrew’s struck with a converted try in the final minutes to pip Graeme College 24-23 in Makhanda on Saturday.

The Andreans crossed for two tries in the first half and Graeme scored from two penalties to make it 12-6 at the break.

Thereafter, it was a case of to and fro as Graeme, with a strong wind at their backs, struck early in the second half to close the game at 12-11.

However, the tight nature of the match was demonstrated when St Andrew’s crossed for their third try to stretch the lead to 17-11 before Graeme enjoyed arguably their best play, scoring two tries in succession to go ahead 23-17 with five minutes remaining.

The Graemians then needed to make sure of exiting their territory from the kickoff but, trying to play it out, St Andrew’s forced a turnover and kicked for the corner.

From that line-out, captain Sintu Mjali led the charge with a try next to the posts for flyhalf Daniel Hickey to kick the match-winning conversion.

Other points for St Andrew ’ s came from tries by Jacques Cloete, Joe Bennie and Jason Dovey, with Hickey also kicking the conversion of Bennie’s try.

Graeme’s tries came from Mu-Eed Fritz, Soso Sizani and Hlombe Kepe, while Steven du Preez slotted two penalties and a conversion.

● Kingswood took control in the second half of their match against Stirling to run in five tries and transform a 5-3 lead into a decisive 36-11 win.

Tries came from Sine Brawen (first half), Amazing Vheriwa, Likhona Kepe, Tadiwa Chikutiro, Kamva Zweni and Stanley Muranganwana.