Gimmies lift the Shield for the first time in 19 years
A dominant first-half performance on Saturday helped Worcester Gimnasium claim the South Western Rugby Football School Shield, with the contest for the coveted prize being reintroduced after a hiatus since 2005.
The Gimmies shot out of the blocks with their big prop, Wilfred Slingers, barrelling over after a break by his fullback, Lorenzo Harmse.
Minutes later, flyhalf Lohenzel Jansen sliced through the hosts’ defence to score their second and, despite Robbies’ halfback pairing of Kyle Cedras and Jaydan van Niekerk combining expertly to pull one back, Jansen continued piling on the scoreboard pressure off the kicking tee.
Jayd-Will de Klerk stretched over to give the “Bosvarke” a 20-7 lead at the break.
After some stern words at halftime, the Robbies fought back valiantly to outscore the visitors 21-15 in the second stanza, but the damage done in the first half was enough for the Gimmies to lift the historic shield and revive a proud Boland legacy.
Ethan Fourie, Mychal Swart and Yannick du Plessis added to the hosts’ total, and Van Niekerk kept a perfect record off the tee, to help drive Robbies to a 28-23 lead, but Worcester struck twice in the final 10 minutes to triumph.
Playing with 14 men, Worcester drew level through Alungile Mothibe, but missed the conversion and a subsequent penalty attempt.
Just when it looked like the Robbies had quelled the visitors’ onslaught, Jansen unlocked the defence one last time to send Lukewin van Heerden over for the winner.
They were able to see out the final minutes and claim an impressive victory away from home, which has set the stage for another epic clash when they attempt to defend the Shield next season.
Bernardo Diedericks and Van Niekerk stood out for the home team with their probing runs, but the Gimmies are a never-say-die bunch, and Jansen’s heroics inspired them to another exciting victory.
Meanwhile, Hoërskool Overberg recorded a first win over Hoërskool Hermanus in 17 years.
Pieter du Toit, Johan Beukes and Favian Arendse all recorded five-pointers to help their side to a 12-point win.
Hopefield cut down Piketberg, winning 28-15, while Augsburg bested Hoërskool Vredendal 20-13.
Porterville romped to a 45-7 win against Steynville Secondary, with fullback Llewellyn Fransman and no. 8 Josh Steenkamp each dotting down twice.
Ronaldo Koker, Montagu‘s star centre and captain, scored 15 of his side’s points against Labori in a 35-14 victory.
Labori dominated in the first half, but the hosts were able to keep them tied up at 7-7.
The visitors scored again right after the break to take the lead, but the home team regrouped and did well to wrestle away control of the match.
Scorers
Worcester Gimnasium 35 (20) – Tries: Wilfred Slingers, Lohenzel Jansen, Jayd-Will de Klerk, Alungile Mothibe, Lukewin van Heerden. Conversions: Jansen (2). Penalties: Jansen (2). Robertson 28 (7) – Tries: Jaydan van Niekerk, Ethan Fourie, Mychal Swart, Yannick du Plessis. Conversions: Van Niekerk (4).
Overberg 19 – Tries: Pieter du Toit, Johan Beukes, Favian Arendse. Conversions: Kiyan Burger (2). Hermanus. 7.
Hopefield 28 – Tries: Henro Kotze, Xavier Smith, Schalk Jonker, Jayden Engelbrecht. Conversions: Aris Barends (4). Piketberg 15 – Tries: Zuan Wessels, Zander Jordaan. Conversion: Ernwill Afrika. Penalty: Afrika.
Porterville 45 – Tries: Llewellyn Fransman (2), Josh Steenkamp (2), Brenden September, Ecarm Schreuder, Penalty Try. Conversions: MacAllistair Boer (4). Steynville Secondary 7.
Montagu 35 – Tries: Xolani Yanta, Keenen Plaatjies, Linden de Silva, Chadwin Lottering, Ronaldo Koker. Conversions: Koker (5). Labori 14 – Tries: Jesse Goodwin, Johan Gerber. Conversions: Xavier Bothma (2).
Other results
u19 – Augsburg 1st XV 20, Hoërskool Vredendal 1st XV 13; Montagu II 35, Labori II 13.
u16 – Worcester Gim A 36, Robertson A 19; Montagu A 59, Labori A 7.
u15 – Worcester Gim A 19, Robertson A 12; Worcester Gim B 48, Robertson B 7; Montagu A 31, Labori A 13.
u14 – Worcester Gim A 46, Robertson A 0; Montagu A 17, Labori A 0; Montagu B 22, Labori B 12.
