ON THE SPORTS SCENE Breakers claim win
THE derby between Old Collegians and Breakers, won by the latter, enjoyed massive crowd support over the weekend.
For another year, Breakers are the kings of Queenstown rugby. Breakers continued their dominance over Collegians in the entertaining 20-10 victory for the Mlungisi outfit. Both teams started with a cautious approach, trying to outmanoeuvre each other in the set phases. It took 10 hard-fought minutes for the opening points to be recorded. Breakers were awarded a penalty which Maso Lali converted, to the delight of the fans. OC were awarded a penalty of their own which Chaviele Hartnick slotted over to bring the scores level at 3-3. The game picked up in pace and Breakers exerted pressure on the Colle- gians’ defensive lines. After penalty after penalty in the OC red zone something had to give. Collegians were superb in defence after being pinned back at their try line for almost 10 minutes. Breakers were gifted a try after good work in putting Collegians under pressure at their goalmouth after OC scrumhalf Shooz Bezuidenhout, in trying to clear the ball, kicked it straight to Breakers hooker Thabo Sokwebe who touched down for Breakers’ first try. Maso converted with the visitors leading 10-3 at half time.
The second half was just as frenetic as the first, with OC having to do all the running. Breakers’ Milo Nqoro increased his side’s lead with a long range penalty conversion with a second try following thereafter as Sok-
webe bulldozed his way over the whitewash. Nqoro made no mistake as Breakers took a commanding 10 point lead. To their credit, Collegians refused to bow out. It was all OC in the last quarter of the match with Breakers having to put in a solid defensive effort to keep the opposition at bay. OC was finally rewarded a try when Sean Baartman crashed over. Cheslin Jekels succeeded with the conversion to bring the scores within 10 points. Collegians threw everything at Breakers in the last five minutes but Breakers’ defence held firm. Both teams gave a good account of themselves, with Breakers using their chances more effectively.
The win took Breakers to sixth on the log with 13 points while OC remained 11th with four points. Sokwebe was the star for Breakers while Collegians’ Jarred De Bruin and Lunga Dube had massive games. In other matches, Winter Rose was responsible for the shock of the weekend when they beat Super 12 champions and title contenders Police 9-8 away from home. It dented Police chances for the elusive title and shot Winter Rose to mid table. Old Selbornians and Walter Sisulu All Blacks remain the only unbeaten sides midway through the season. Old Boys annihilated Berlin Tigers 90-17 while All Blacks beat Cambridge 49-17. Fort Hare Blues continue their upward spiral on the log with a 48-10 victory over Buffs. Swallows picked up five points in smashing Africans 67-0 in King William’s Town. This weekend OC travel to Buffs while Breakers face Old Selbornians at Mlungisi Stadium. Berlin Tigers host Police with Cambridge locking horns with Fort Hare. Winter Rose should have it easy against Africans and All Blacks take on Swallows.