Rain no damper on games
Schools in spirited clashes despite soggy conditions
WOODRIDGE College used their stronger forwards to edge a spirited Westering High 18-8 in their schools rugby clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The fact that the match was played in driving rain did not prevent the teams playing attacking rugby throughout.
Woodridge, though, did have the upper hand in the forwards and that, backed up by a superb performance from nippy scrumhalf Mark van Rensburg, set the foundation for their win.
Woodridge took an early lead when Van Rensburg landed a penalty in the fifth minute.
But it would take 20 more minutes of to-ing and fro-ing before the next points were registered.
Van Rensburg was again in the thick of the action, taking advantage of an overlap to dive over in the corner for the first try.
Westering flyhalf Patrick Webster replied with a penalty kick to take the teams to half time at 8-3.
Westering returned determined to run at the Woodridge defence, which stood firm.
Instead it was Woodridge who scored two more tries, through tighthead prop Christopher Potgieter and hooker Henry Sieberhagen.
Westering were rewarded for their persistence with a try from centre Renaldo Koll in the dying stages but the visitors had done enough to clinch the match.
Newton Tech v VP
DESPITE muddy conditions, Newton Tech played some excellent rugby to defeat the visiting Victoria Park 22-10 in their schools clash on Saturday.
VP paid the price for a few sloppy errors and dropping the ball carelessly with no last line of defence.
This led to a try on one occasion and the surrendering of 60m of territory on another.
For Newton Tech, flyhalf Ethan Jantjies finished off a scintillating team-effort try, while fullback Ricardo Witbooi and substitute utility back Jeandre Swartz also dotted down.
Centre Avuzwa Mrwebi kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Jantjies controlled the game well, continuing his good form.
VP captain and No 8 Thulani Dinjana had a good game and he and hooker Oyama Mgedisi were clearly the visitors’ best players.
Dinjana kicked a conversion and a penalty, while their only try was scored by speedy wing Luthando Ndzimela.
Humansdorp v DFM
HUMANSDORP Secondary showed their skills when they beat DF Malherbe 36-17 in Humansdorp on Saturday .
They raked up 24 points in the first half to take control of the match as DF Malherbe were unable to get on the board.
In the second half, DFM hit back with 17 points through tries by Dylan de Villiers (2) and EP Academy lock Ruan Botha.
Zander Heunis succeeded with one conversion.
Humansdorp showed good defence and scored five fine tries in all, with their forwards and backs combining well. They outclassed DF Malherbe, who could not close all the gaps.
Humansdorp’s try-scorers were Sheldon Peterson, Bradley Ritchenburg, Jerome Brown, Lance Smith and Richard Harris.
Tarquin Alexander had four conversions and a penalty.