Brandwag had to work hard for win

VISITORS Brandwag High from Uitenhage had to work hard before eventually outgunning the defensive efforts of Oudtshoorn High for an 18-9 victory in their schools rugby match on Saturday.

The home side saw too little of the ball to build phases on attack and were eventually forced to play most of the game in their own half due to some accurate tactical kicking by Brandwag fullback Malan Olivier.

Oudtshoorn flyhalf and vice-captain Larry Paulse slotted three penalty goals from three attempts during the first half.

With the ball in hand, Oudtshoorn’s backs looked dangerous, but Brandwag’s defence stood up to them every time.

In the first half, centre Olivier Ferreira looked set for a try after receiving the ball from a midfield break, but had the ball dislodged when tackled from behind by Brandwag centre Keith Plaatjies.

Brandwag disrupted the home side by poaching three scrums, a lineout and several rucks.

In turn, Oudtshoorn frustrated Brandwag with a shallow defence which verged on the offside line.

For Brandwag, eighth man Elandré Smit scored a try in the first half and prop Ryan Moore added another in the second. Flyhalf Kieran Donley kicked a penalty in the first half.

Olivier converted Moore’s try and slotted a drop goal in the second half.

The home side led 9-8 at half time.

Nico Malan v DP

HOME field advantage proved decisive for Nico Malan as they registered a 27-22 victory over Daniel Pienaar from Uitenhage in their schools rugby match in Humansdorp on Saturday.

Daniel Pienaar led 10-0 at half time, but squandered their hold on the match in the second half.

The teams scored three tries each and Nico Malan secured the victory with a conversion and a penalty.

Daniel Pienaar crossed the line in the dying seconds of the game for what could have been an equalising try had it not been for a forward pass ruling.

For Nico Malan, their Eastern Province players spearheaded the second half comeback. Craven Week flank Gregan Glover scored two tries while his EP Academy teammate and wing Romario McCarthy also scored a try.

Flyhalf Bendre Jonck, another EP Academy player, converted all three tries and added two penalties.

Daniel Pienaar’s tries were scored by centre Duwayne Nel, wing Curtley Deysel and flank Pieter Gunter.

Gunter converted one try and slotted a penalty. The other conversion was kicked by centre Johan Kemp.