Dale spoils Queen’s 168th Reunion, Selborne ends Graeme’s unbeaten run
Dale College poured cold water on the 168th Reunion of their old rivals, Queen’s College, by holding on for a narrow 31-29 win in a game of two halves at the Rec Ground in Komani on Saturday.
Playing into the wind in the first half, Queen’s made too many errors. Dale capitalised. Their forwards built strong momentum through good carries, creating the sort of pressure which their dangerous backs turned into overlaps, and they ran up a 24-5 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Queen’s pull themselves together, bringing aggression to their forward drives and defending with greater commitment, which enabled them to fight their way back into the match.
However, despite scoring five tries through Bongo Nyakaza (2), Ethan Oosthuizen, Ncutu Kepe, and Luhlumile Njokweni, they were unable to cross the gap as Dale scored once more to hold on for a hard-fought victory, which will give them renewed motivation for the season ahead.
Dale also crossed for five tries, scored by Lukho Mzingaye, Caleb Smith, Azole Sodlaka, Sonwabise Dyani, and Okuhle Fihla, while Dyani added three conversions.
In East London, Selborne College rose to the occasion where it mattered most – on the field of play – to register a notable win over the previously unbeaten Graeme College in a cracking encounter.
It was a game typical of the outstanding schools’ derbies in the Eastern Cape, with each side enjoying their moments. The contest was level at 19-19 with 20 minutes to go, but Selborne finally pulled away to win 34-26.
With lock Travis Enslin and centre Iviwe Kabale the standout players for Selborne, the home side put Graeme under sustained pressure from the start, and this allowed them to build a handy 12-0 lead through two tries.
But Graeme showed why they are so highly rated this season, particularly when they are on the attack. With no. 9 Luke Doyle calling the shots from the base of the scrum, and fullback Lucritia Magau a constant menace at the back, they bounced back with three tries to go ahead 19-12.
Trailing, Selborne showed their character by levelling the score and, although Graeme scored once more, the East London school capitalised on their chances to kick a penalty and score a fifth try.
Selborne’s dotted down through Sabelo Vuso (2), Enslin, Kabale and Reece Rasmussen, with Riley Hansel kicking three conversions and a penalty.
Tries for Graeme came from Doyle (2), Asakhe Ranuga, and Lucritia Magau, while Erin Nelson kicked three conversions.
With centre Matthew Lieberum outstanding in midfield, Marlow Agricultural was able to secure a solid 26-15 win over a competitive Hudson Park team in their clash at Marlow.
While hooker Herman le Roux and lock JG de Lange led the way up front, Lieberum kept the Hudson Park defence busy with his attacking runs and ability to break through a gap.
He was rewarded with a try, while other five-pointers came from Ockert du Preez, Le Roux and De Lange. Cole Hurter kicked two conversions and Jan-Louw du Plessis one.
Hudson, for whom fullback Zearan Booysen was outstanding, will be disappointed with the final result after trailing only 10-12 at the break.
They were let down by their discipline, which resulted in them being pinned down in their own territory and unable to capitalise on their chances.
This allowed Marlow to seize the initiative to pull away for another significant victory.
Scorers
Queen’s College 29 (7) – Tries: Ethan Oosthuizen, Bongo Nyakaza (2), Ncutu Kepe, Luhlumile Njokweni. Conversions: Inga Mnunu (2). Dale College 31 (24) – Tries: Lukho Mzingaye, Caleb Smith, Azole Sodlaka, Sonwabise Dyani and Okuhle Fihla. Conversions: Dyani (3).
Selborne College 34 (12) – Tries: Sabelo Vuso (2), Enslin, Kabale and Reece Rasmussen. Penalty: Riley Hansel. Conversions: Hansel (3). Graeme College 26 (5) – Tries – Luke Doyle (2), Asakhe Ranuga, Lucritia Magau. Conversions: Erin Nelson (3).
