Graeme staves off Queen’s College to score narrow win

In an incredibly tense finish, Graeme College stood firm on defence in the closing stages to end Queen‘s College’s long run of success this season with a dramatic 20-17 win on the Somerset Field, in Makhanda, on Saturday.

The Graemians built up a handy 20-5 lead by halftime and then withstood a typically determined fightback as the visitors gave it all they had to preserve their proud record.

In the Eastern Cape, before Saturday’s setback, they had lost only to Pearson, while their last defeat had occurred way back in April, at the hands of Rondebosch, in the KES Easter Festival.

Saturday’s match was on a knife’s edge in the final 10 minutes, with Queen’s camped in Graeme’s territory, launching attack after attack, only to be repelled time and time again by a committed and determined home defence.

Eventually, with the score 20-17, Queen’s hooker Bulumko Manqina went on a bullocking run, but was hauled to ground mere metres from the try line. From the ensuing ruck, Graeme infringed, and Queen’s opted for a scrum in an attempt to secure another victory.

When they spread the ball wide, it seemed that they had created space on the right, only for the final pass to be knocked on with the tryline in sight, and with that the final hooter blew.

It was jubilation for the Graeme supporters, while the never-say-die attitude of Queen’s should be applauded. Arguably, they remain the best team in the Eastern Cape this year.

Graeme’s victory was founded on an excellent first half during which they took their chances to build up a relatively substantial lead.

They were on the score board within the first five minutes when flank Ayola Mali burst away from a ruck on the Queen’s 22-metre line to score the hosts’ first try, which was converted by flyhalf Ethan Bokbaard.

Later in the half, burly prop Athi Bonga was put into space near the try line and, to the delight of the spectators, he sped over to dot down, with Bokbaard again adding the extra two points.

The Graeme flyhalf also slotted two penalties, while Queen’s fullback Mveli Mqolo went over for a try, which left the home side 15 points to the good at the break.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Queen’s narrowed the deficit when a backline move saw wing Boikaho Motlohi cut smartly inside to slip through the defence for their second try. Then, in the 52nd minute, loose forward Acwenga Saul added a third five-pointer, which was converted by Mqolo.

After that, the momentum swung and Graeme spent the next 10 minutes deep in their opponents’ half and, although they were not able to crack the Queen’s defence, they ate up valuable time while defending their lead.

Eventually, Queen ‘s extricated themselves from their half and went on the attack, but Graeme’s committed and stubborn defence held out and the Graemians celebrated a cherished victory.

In Humansdorp, Brandwag hit back in the second half against Nico Malan to win 19-12 after trailing 0-12 at the break.

It was a tale of two halves because the home side was unable to get anything right in the second half after tries by Gelden van Niekerk and Pietman Kleinhans had put them ahead at halftime.

They were plagued by errors and missed three kicks at goal. Brandwag took full advantage of those breaks to run in three tries and score a hard-earned win.

Grey High paid a visit to Kariega to take on Muir College. They came away with a one-sided 60-7 victory ahead of their final match next weekend against Selborne College.

Muir’s only points came from a try by Onke Marola, which he converted.

Scorers:

Graeme College 20 (20) – Tries: Ayola Mali, Athi Bonga. Penalties: Ethan Bokbaard (2). Conversions: Bokbaard (2). Queen’s College 17 (5) – Tries: Mveli Mqolo, Boikaho Motlohi, Acwenga Saul. Conversion: Mqolo.

Brandwag 19 (0) – Tries: Dwayne Louw (2), Leewin Kammies. Conversions: Angelo Adams (2). Nico Malan 12 (12) – Tries: Gelden van Niekerk, Pietman Kleinhans. Conversion: Leighton Lawrence.