Millies stage spectacular comeback to down Bosch

MILNERTON High, widely regarded as the minnows of school rugby in the Cape, scored a huge upset on Saturday at Rondebosch by beating the high-riding home side 34-33 in an epic encounter.

It was also the first time ever they have recorded a win over Bosch.

It was an amazing performance by the Tier 2 visitors, who were reduced to 14 players after copping a first-half red card. The Light Blues, to their credit, never gave up trying in swirling conditions, in spite of trailing 19-3 at the interval. Playing with the wind, the heavier Rondebosch forwards had the edge in terms of possession and territory.

Their driving play proved unstoppable and kept the visitors’ defence busy. It was a maul, with captain and lock Tom Barnard prominent, that led to Bosch’s opening try by No 8 Alutha Wesi, which was converted by flyhalf David Simon.

However, they had to wait until just before half-time before they added two more tries via hooker Justin Amos, converted by Shakeel Abrahams, and centre Harry Soboile. A sole penalty by Chadwin Sellidon was all Milnerton could record in the first half.

After the change over, Bosch continued their dominance with the rolling maul the fulcrum of their attacks. When Amos completed his brace and Abrahams also scored a converted try, they were 33-3 ahead.

What happened in the next 20 minutes was spectacular.

With nothing to lose, Millies launched an incredible comeback, running the ball at every opportunity. With livewire flanker Brint Davids leading the charge, captain and centre Frank Hitimana and his partner Morgan Lodewyk scored in quick succession from tap penalties.

At 33-17, Millies sensed they were in with a chance, controlling the ball from the kick-off and spreading it wide. With the Bosch defence at sixes and sevens, more was to follow when flyhalf Sellidon, who had already converted twice, scored the third try to bring them within striking distance at 33-22.

The coup de grâce came when wing Keagan Wood scored twice, the second in the corner with a minute to go. Sellidon converted and Millies were on the cusp of a famous victory.

There was still a twist in the tail when Bosch were awarded a penalty from the kick-off but opted for touch. The line-out went awry as the final whistle went.

In yet another nail-biter, SACS had to come from behind to pip hosts Stellenberg 24-22. Both sides scored three tries apiece, but Rayhaan Solomons was on target with the boot for once, putting over all three and kicking a penalty that swung the game in SACS’ favour.

After trailing 12-3 at the interval, the team from the southern suburbs showed great character in fighting back.

Wynberg produced entertaining rugby at home, outscoring Durbanville by six tries to three in winning 36-19. The game was scrappy due to high winds and only lit up in the closing stanza, with five tries scored in 12 minutes.

It was two moments of brilliance that highlighted this period – the first by ubiquitous No 8 Torren February, whose set up wing Levi Brown for a try after a 50m run.

There was another moment of magic by flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, who launched a counter-attack from his own 22, sending wing Kunene Gadu over to score. Undaunted, Durbies added to the spectacle when Adrian Freemantle collected the ball and ran through unchallenged for a try.