Half time for rugby league
The Albany High Schools Rugby U15 and U18 leagues began in mid April with matches played on a Wednesday. This week saw round seven of the schools matches.
The Albany High School Rugby Structure, in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Department of Education established the U15 and U18 leagues during 2016.
This was done to reintroduce rugby at schools where it became dormant. In June 2016 the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) was incorporated into the U15 league.
Nathaniel Nyaluza became the first winners of the title as Albany VUKA U15 champi- ons, while Mary Waters were crowned U18 winners.
The Albany U15 section is made up of Nathaniel Nyaluza, Ntsika, Nombulelo, Khutliso Daniels, Mary Waters, Ntaba Maria, CM Vellem, Fikizolo, TEM Mrwetyana, Archie Mbolekwa, Hendrick Kanise, PJ Olivier, Graeme College and St Andrew’s College.
The Albany/Vuka U15 league is played between 14 schools in two pools of seven each. Each school plays six fixtures in league format at the end of which the two top teams in each pool contest the semi-finals, scheduled for 16 August.
The winners of the semifinals advance to the Albany final on 23 August at a venue still to be determined.
The winner of the Albany U15 final will represent Al- bany at the Eastern Province VUKA play-offs on 30 August.
An Albany U15 team was selected to participate in the recent Independent Schools Rugby Festival that was hosted by St Andrews.
The U15 squad is currently being finalised as they will participate in the SARLA Regional Legends Cup tournament at Somerset East from 1 to 6 July. This tournament will serve as trials for the selection of the EP U15 Iqhawe team that will take part in the SARLA Iqhawe week in October.
The U18 league comprises 10 schools in two pools.
At the end of the pool games, the top two teams from each pool will contest the semi-finals, also on 16 August.
The Albany U18 finals will take place on 23 August.