Kwaggas and Paarl Gim end all square for the first time since 2012
The third-term fixtures kicked off with an epic battle between Outeniqua and Paarl Gimnasium in George.
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The conditions underfoot meant that neither team could fully utilize their backline and the forwards had to battle it out for a low-scoring but hard-fought 10-all draw.
This is only the second time the two teams have ended equal in their last 11 matches, the last time it happened was in 2012 when Handré Pollard was captain of Paarl Gimnasium and Warrick Gelant and Duhan van der Merwe were among the Kwagga first team players of that year.
Though it might not be the big statement victory Outeniqua would have wanted for their centenary year, the home team played well to contain a Paarl Gim that has been on fire this season.
Their efforts came at a price though, as their star flanker, Jeffwin Wesso, had to be helped off the field with an ankle injury 22 minutes into the first half.
Wesso has been selected to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in August. Hopefully, this injury does not rob him of that opportunity.
Outeniqua opened the scoring when their talisman winger, JJ Daters, who was one of the 15 Outeniqua players in the SWD team at the Craven Week held at their school over the holiday, expertly finished a beautiful try on Outeniqua’s first visit to the Paarl Gim 22 meter area after eight minutes of play.
The SA Schools fullback, JT Strydom, converted to give his team a 7-0 lead with what was to be the last points of the half.
Outeniqua came out after halftime wearing their fresh centenary celebrations jerseys, but the visitors from Paarl immediately made them work hard on defence again and finally found their way through with their big eighth man, Nicus van Coller, scoring shortly after the break.
Strydom extended their lead with a penalty conversion, ultimately saving his team with his kicking proficiency in challenging conditions as his opposite number found it difficult to add the extras.
Paarl Gimnasium’s Academy Week winger, Freek de Kock, looked exciting throughout and was selected as the Man of the Match for his efforts. De Kock scored the try of the day to draw the visitors level, slicing through the Outeniqua defence that had been impenetrable for most of the match.
Outeniqua’s grade 11 flyhalf, Andrew Stopforth, stood out for his team and will be a player to watch next season. In a frantic game with a huge amount of pressure on them, Stopforth remained calm and fulfilled his duties expertly.
His hooker, Nathan Smith, was also immense for their side with his efforts over the ball in the rucks.
With two conversions and a penalty attempt missed, Paarl Gimnasium will feel like they should have been able to clinch that match, but all in all, it was a fair result for two extremely proud teams.
This fixture is fast becoming one of the highlights on the calendar with both of these schools continuously growing and improving their rugby programs.
Hoërskool Punt nearly had a clean sweep in Despatch, were it not for their two u14 teams that narrowly lost to the hosts.
Scorers:
Outeniqua 10 (7) – Try: JJ Daters. Conversion: JT Strydom. Penalty: Strydom. Paarl Gimnasium 10 (0) – Tries: Nicus van Coller, Freek de Kock.
Other scores:
u19A – Bridgton 15, Oudtshoorn 7; Hoërskool Punt 24, Despatch 18.
u19B – Paarl Gimnasium II 38, Outeniqua II 7; Hoërskool Punt II 19, Despatch 15.
u16 – Paarl Gimnasium 31, Outeniqua 5; Hoërskool Punt 15, Despatch 6
u15 – Paarl Gimnasium 22, Outeniqua 3; Hoërskool Punt 20, Despatch 5
u14 – Outeniqua 7, Paarl Gimnasium 5; Despatch 14, Hoërskool Punt 13
