Hobson grabs hattrick honours in Selborne clash
Grey High School delivered an impeccable display of rugby, with hooker Jon Hobson picking up a hattrick of tries, to help his side to an impressive 21-point victory over East London’s Selborne College on Saturday in Gqeberha.
The final score read 48-27 to the hosts, who enjoyed playing in front of a packed home crowd on Kolisi Field.
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After last year’s close encounter, which Selborne edged 12-10, Grey was not going to be left wondering on the field named after the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain and old boy. They delivered a clinical performance to put the result beyond doubt.
At half-time, Grey led 33-17 after stringing together some impressive offensive plays. Selborne, too, had their moments, but the home team enjoyed a sizeable advantage heading into the second stanza.
Three try-scorer Hobson was well supported by flyhalf Meyer Prinsloo and Luke de Villiers, who went over twice each for five-pointers, and Prinsloo added four conversions for a personal match haul of 18 points.
Selborne’s scrumhalf Page Fennell partnered well with inside centre Siya Sakhele as the duo excelled for the visitors. Throughout the match, they worked well in tandem to challenge Grey’s defences. Fennell also converted three out of his five opportunities at poles, which included one penalty.
Meanwhile, Hudson Park High School handed Dale College a 24-17 loss. The visitors from Qonce came close to edging past Hudson, but the hosts held their nerve and clung on to claim victory.
The first half of the match was dominated by the home team, who crossed for three tries in quick succession to take a commanding 17-5 lead into the break.
Graeme College hurtled to a 19-point win over Muir College Boys’ High School, winning 38-19. Muir showed good fighting spirit, but Graeme led for most of the match and ultimately won convincingly.
Lock Ayola Mali picked up two tries for Graeme and was a force at the breakdowns, clearing out defenders with ferocious determination.
Muir bounced back well after half-time to score an additional 14 points, but Graeme was always in the driver’s seat and controlled the pace and tempo of the match. Their second half haul was an additional 21 points, with their forward pack spearheading that effort.
Point Scorers
Grey High School 48 (33) – Tries: Jon Hobson (3), Meyer Prinsloo (2), Luke de Villiers (2), Ross Atkinson. Conversions: Meyer Prinsloo (4). Selborne College 27 (17) – Tries: Siyamthanda Sakhela, Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu, Luke McGregor, Joshua Cloete. Conversions: Page Fennell (2). Penalties: Page Fennell.
Hudson Park High School 24 (17) – Tries: Dante Mey (2), Linamandla Sonjani, Siyamthanda Klass. Conversions: Landile Gidi (2). Dale College 17 (3) – Tries: Ebenezer Sarpong, Lakhanya Mbewu. Conversions: Angalakha Makwabe (2). Penalties: Angalakha Makwabe.
Graeme College 38 (17) – Tries: Ayola Mali (2), Fumani Baloyi, Ayamila Bill, Xolisa Mdyesha, Inathi Planga. Conversions: Cameron Doyle (4). Muir College Boys’ High School 19 (5) – Tries: Tyler Jansen, Chuma Bloouw, Rirhandzo Wagener. Conversions: Bulumko Kilani (2).
