A clean record for Boishaai at KES

Paarl Boys’ High kept their unblemished record for the season intact with a victory over an energetic Pretoria Boys High outfit on the final day of the Standard Bank KES Easter Festival.
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Fullback, Tebogo Nchabeleng, got the crowd on their feet early on as he nonchalantly struck over a drop goal to give the Pretoria boys a leg up within the first five minutes of Monday’s match.
The Paarl powerhouse responded swiftly, though, with their electric winger, Shane Lee Simonse, stretching over the line for the first try of the day.
Simonse doubled his team’s total, about 15 minutes later, as he stepped his way around the Pretoria Boys’ defence to go over for his second, which fullback, Francois van der Merwe converted, for a 12-3 lead at the break.
Despite trailing by nine, the challengers were causing problems for Boishaai, with Tumisho Motswi spearheading the Pretoria Boys’ High efforts.
Some changes in personnel after halftime saw Boishaai gain more dominance up front, but they could not immediately turn that advantage into points. Eventually, hooker Christiaan Grundling drove over after a period of sustained pressure on the Pretoria Boys High try line from a well-worked lineout move.
To their credit, though, the Pretoria boys kept battering at the Paarl defensive lines, and they were finally rewarded for their efforts when flanker Seth Venter, sniping around a ruck, scored their first and only try.
The final quarter of an hour saw both sides let a couple of chances slip through their fingers, and with only 11 points between them, it was anyone’s game.
When Grundling went over for his second five-pointer, he drove the final nail in the Pretoria Boys High coffin to secure a second win at the event for Paarl, who beat KES 22-7 on the opening day.
While Paarl will be happy with another win, they certainly have more to offer. Pretoria Boys High will take some positives out of their performance, especially their committed defence, which kept the Western Cape giants at bay for large periods in the game.
Boishaai’s fixture against Oakdale in Paarl next Saturday is an exciting opportunity to see them square up against an in-form, attacking side.
Their backline has been inventive and energetic so far this season, but the Oakdale boys have already tripped up a number of big sides this year, including Helpmekaar (41-22) and Garsfontein (23-17) at last week’s NMI North/South tournament, and Rondebosch Boys’ High (17-13) at the Wynberg Boys’ High Rugby Festival.
The second day’s action began with Ben Vorster taking on Queen’s College.
The little scrumhalf from Tzaneen, Pontsho Selowa, stood out for his side with a couple of brave tackles on defence, and for trying to inject some energy into their attack.
It was, however, his opposite number from the Eastern Cape, Ryan Denston, who ran the show on the day.
He spearheaded the Queen’s attack as they brushed off Ben Vorster, scoring 38 points without a reply.
His fullback, Mveli Mqulo, scored the first try after eight minutes of play and then rounded off the game neatly when he scored his second in the final five minutes.
Hudson Park speedster, Likho Gidi, scored a stunner against Northwood, turning on the jets for a 70m dash to score.
The KZN outfit outgunned Hudson Park, however, running in six tries for another convincing victory, this time by a 40-8 margin, after outscoring Ben Vorster 50-0 on day one.
Flyhalf, Siya Nkosi, led from the front, putting his side on the front foot against their opponents from the Eastern Cape.
Results and scorers, Day Two
Paarl Boys’ High 24 (12) – Tries: Shane Lee Simonse (2), Christiaan Grundling (2). Conversions: Francois van der Merwe (2). Pretoria Boys High 8 (3) – Try: Seth Venter. Drop goal: Tebogo Nchabeleng.
Northwood 40 (19) – Tries: Tusani Zondo, Reuben Vos, Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, Bongane Khumalo, Kwenzo Dlamini, Lian Terblanche. Conversions: Graeham de Swardt (5). Hudson Park 8 (8) – Try: Likho Gidi. Penalty: D’Angelo Snayers.
Queen’s College 38 (26) – Tries: Mveli Mqulo (2), Jameel Fleshman, Ryan Denston, Ahluma Mbinqo, Angalakha Magongoma. Conversions: Denston (4). Ben Vorster 0.