Sparkling Wynberg Boys crush lacklustre Bishops
WYNBERG were in a rampant mood and maintained their unbeaten record with a surprisingly easy 35-8 win over hosts Bishops on Saturday, after leading 14-3 at the interval.
The margin of victory – five tries to one – was indicative of their superiority in a game they led throughout.
The half-time break was extended after a heavy bout of thunder and flashes of lightning that threatened to disrupt the match.
Bishops, who have now lost four games on the trot, were strangely lethargic and their backs lacked cohesion. To compound their woes, they conceded turnaround possession at crucial times, which proved costly.
Wynberg, in contrast, looked composed and were more structured on attack.
Their set piece also functioned well and their execution, well orchestrated by flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, was on point. Ahmed put on a flawless kicking display, converting all his attempts at goal, while he also shone on defence.
Wynberg were first out of the starting blocks as early as the second minute, when centre Brandon Ashburner breached the defence to link with captain and No 8 Aden da Costa, who did the hard yards before offloading to scrumhalf Tyrone Gombe who crossed the tryline close in.
Bishops regrouped and were soon swinging the ball out wide. With fullback Wa-keem Fortuin making timely incursions into the backline, the Berg defence was at full stretch.
With half-time looming, Bishops would have been happy trailing by seven points. However, for once they were made to pay for kicking away possession: Wynberg fullback Morné Noble fielded a wayward clearance outside his 22 and set off on a 70m run, outpacing the defence for a brilliant try in the corner.
Ahmed was bang on target and they were 14-0 up. On the stroke of half-time, Luca Mynhardt reduced the deficit with a penalty for Bishops.
After the enforced delay at the interval, Wynberg were the first to regain momentum. This time they capitalised on a charge-down, with wing Levi Brown showing good control in scooping up the loose ball to cross far out.
At 21-3 the visitors were cruising, but a change in tactics saw Bishops keep the ball among the forwards. It soon paid dividends when, after a series of pick and drives, prop Yusuf Ahmed burrowed his way over for an unconverted try (21-8).
Going into the last 10 minutes Bishops were still within striking distance. But the Wynberg forwards were on the front foot and when Ahmed opted for touch instead of a penalty, it paid dividends.
From the resultant lineout the Berg forwards went on the drive, with lock Jaythen Orange getting the touchdown to restore the 20-point lead.
They put the issue beyond doubt when some deft footwork by prop Luqobo Makwedini spread the defence, enabling Ahmed to complete the try scoring. He duly completed the conversion for a personal tally of 15 points.
Elsewhere, the giant killers of schools rugby, Milnerton, were given a real scare before emerging winners by the narrowest of margins, winning 29-28 over Bellville.
It was only a failed lastminute conversion attempt that prevented Bellville from pulling off an upset win.
Rondebosch proved too strong for Melkbosstrand, winning 45-13, with Colin Paul Kemp at No 8 bagging a hat-trick of tries.