Bishops seal heroic comeback victory

HAT-TRICK hero Andre Manuel scored the match-winning try to secure Bishops a thrilling 35-33 win against St Andrew’s on the Lower Field in Grahamstown on Wednesday.

St Andrew’s were looking to avenge the 39-15 defeat they suffered last year in this 119-year-old fixture, but it was not to be. St Andrew’s opened the scoring when No 8 Malcolm Pringle broke off the scrum inside the opposition 22 and the ball eventually went to wing Grant Dixie for a try.

Flyhalf Anthony Dakin missed the conversion.

Bishops struck back swiftly, courtesy of a quick throw-in and a long, lofted pass to wing Manuel, who outpaced Dixie to score.

Inside centre Cornel added the conversion.

Dakin then broke for the home side and off-loaded to inside centre Angus Cook for an easy score, which Dakin converted.

Manuel then scored his second try in the corner and Smit continued his fine kicking form with another conversion.

Further tries from Xolile Mdlokovana and Thomas Lane gave

Smit St Andrew’s a 26-14 half-time lead. Bishops fullback Tristan Leyds, younger brother of Stormers winger Dilyn Leyds, scored the first try of the second half but St Andrew’s restored their lead when Pringle crossed over.

Bishops scored yet again to make it a five-point game at 33-28 to St Andrew’s late in the match.

The Cape side were reduced to 14 men when Bishops prop JP Smith received a yellow for a dangerous tackle, but they snatched the game out of the fire when Leyds sent a side pass, which Manuel eventually gathered to gallop over for his hat-trick and the match-winning try to break the hearts of the home team and their supporters.

Smit converted an easy kick to ensure a sensational 35-33 comeback victory for Bishops.