Daniel Pienaar in tight Kariega derby win
The Daniel Pienaar Tigers roared up front, but, eventually, HTS Brandwag had enough gas in the tank to see off their Kariega arch-rivals in a 22-19 blockbuster at the Daniel Pienaar on Saturday.
This clash doubled as a Tinara Cup match and Brandwag now has the inside lane to that trophy after they defeated Muir College, the third of the three competing schools, earlier this season. Daniel Pienaar is the current Cup holder.
Saturday’s showdown was another titanic struggle between two well-matched sides, with Daniel Pienaar showing excellent cohesion among their forwards, while the energetic Brandwag backs, led by centre Damian le Roux, often had the Tigers scrambling in defence.
The educated boot of Ashley Liesing kept Daniel Pienaar in the hunt as he slotted four penalties and a conversion, although he will be disappointed at twice not having found touch late in the game from penalties when his team trailed by three points and needed to make the most of their attacking opportunities.
The home forwards bossed the Brandwag pack early on and they took the lead 6-3 as the teams exchanged penalties.
Then, in the 20th minute, Brandwag sent out a clear signal of their attacking intent when Le Roux sliced through the defence in midfield and raced in for their first try, converted by Derono Potgieter.
From there, the Brandwag offensive effort began to constantly test the Tigers’ defence, but from the restart in the second half an obstruction saw Liesing kick his third penalty to put Daniel Pienaar back in front at 9-8.
He was at it again soon afterwards when the visitors infringed at a scrum, but Brandwag were rewarded for their attacking endeavours when a late Tigers tackle took Le Roux out of the play and the referee ruled a penalty try to edge the visitors 15-12 ahead.
The fluctuating nature of the game was underlined when Daniel Pienaar scrumhalf Rozario Grootboom produced a brilliant individual effort from a scrum on the Brandwag 10-metre line, racing down the blindside and outpacing the cover defence to gather his chip for a try in the corner.
Liesing added the conversion as the Tigers hit the front again, only for substitute wing Rezanio Petrus to show off his running skills when Brandwag created space down the left as he dodged past defenders to score their third try.
This time Angelo Adams added the two extra points to make it 22-19 with 12 minutes left and although both teams had their chances on attack in the closing stages, the defences stood firm as Brandwag grabbed the bragging rights.
At Pearson, in Gqeberha, Outeniqua romped to a comfortable win over the Summerstrand outfit after leading 14-10 following a well-contested first half.
The Kwaggas attacked relentlessly from the start and it was only through stout defence that Pearson was able to win a penalty to clear their lines.
Livewire scrumhalf Denilo Jordaan scored their only try, with Sibu Mkhontwana adding a conversion and a penalty.
The visitors scored twice in the first half and then shut out their opponents after the break, running in three more converted tries for an emphatic 35-10 win.
In Kariega, Humansdorp outfit Nico Malan was equally dominant, running in seven tries and leading 22-7 at halftime en route to a 43-14 victory over Muir College.
