Dale thrills with whisker-thin win
IN A thrilling rugby derby match on Saturday, Dale College squeaked passed Selborne College by a single point.
The eagerly anticipated showdown between Buffalo City’s two rugby school powerhouses did not disappoint.
Going into the match, Selborne had lost six of its first XV matches on the trot while Dale had enjoyed an unbeaten run so far this season.
The official Top 40 high school rankings last week put Dale in sixth while did not appear.
However, Dale hadn’t won at Selborne since 2006 and were also keen to have some momentum carrying them through to the tough Queen’s College reunion derby next weekend, so there was much to play for, plenty at stake, and reputations to protect.
Clashes between the old rivals go right back to 1892, when the first recorded match played between the two schools ended with Dale winning 2-1 (scoring was different).
Selborne
After a break of 21 years before the traditional rivals played again in 1913, the game ended in a scoreless draw.
Saturday’s match was the 185th game between the first teams of each school, and saw the crowds of spectators enjoying perfect, warm weather.
Dale emerged victors 10-9, the King William’s Town team now has 98 wins along with 23 draws, with Selborne winning 64.
In the hard-fought and tight encounter, Selborne had to battle the most serious threat coming from a dangerous Dale backline.
There were the usual heartstopping moments and moments of excellence from both teams, while cheerleaders of both camps maintained the traditional derby atmosphere.
In other matches, Selborne gained the upper hand and prior to the main game only the U14A, U15B, U16C and sixth XV had lost to their Dale opponents.
Don’t miss our school sport roundup on Wednesday.