SuperSport Schools Plus

McLaren muscles Grey to victory in Bloemfontein

By Willem Louw , in Rugby | Featured Rugby | News , at 2024-05-12 Tags: ,

PHOTO: Poppie Terblanche

Grey College showed real guts to tame a fiery Paarl Boys’ High attack in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Their little scrumhalf, Philip McLaren, was selected as the Man of the Match for his tireless work rate and immense contributions on defence as Grey kept its dominant record in the Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools fixture intact with a 40-28 victory.

Relive all of the action on SuperSport Schools – Register now Link to the game

The Bloemfontein giants wasted no time in getting the scoreboard rolling, with their big tighthead prop, Danie Kruger, barrelling over for their first try.

After that, however, the visitors caused Grey endless problems at the breakdown, with the loose-trio, Douw Wessels, Rubin Dames and Steph van der Merwe getting over the ball at every opportunity.

Grey’s second try came after a powerful break down the sideline by their exciting young flanker, Juliun Cosmo, which enabled his flyhalf, Alzeadon Felix, to dot down for a five-pointer.

Aiden Jacobs showed his hurdling abilities for a great finish to score Paarl Boys’ first try after Viaan Mentoor opened the scoring for Boishaai off the tee.

His try was cancelled out five minutes later though, when Grey’s other big prop, Dian Venter, strolled in for the home team’s third.

With his forwards doing the dirty work up front, Mentoor struck thrice with his kicking boot in the first half, including a huge effort from the halfway line just before the break, to reduce their deficit to 14-19.

They were forced to take the points on offer, though, because there were no gaps to be found in the Bloemfontein outfit’s defensive line, with McLaren putting in a couple of huge hits at vital moments in the match.

Three more tries in the second stanza, including a brace by their speedster on the wing, Ruben Cilliers, sealed the deal for the home team.

His first came after a brilliant pass by his school captain Pieter van der Merwe, and the second was the result of an equally impressive bit of skill by Felix.

Fullback Heinz Stockenström was rewarded for his hard work with a try to add to the five successful conversions next to his name.

Next weekend the Grey boys travel to Gauteng to take on an in-form Afrikaanse Hoër Seunsskool Pretoria.

Affies suffered a record 19-60 defeat in Bloemfontein last season, but they have a huge forward pack who will be looking to exact revenge in front of their home crowd.

Despite their loss, Boishaai will have many positives to take from their time in Bloemfontein and they will be keen to take to the Piley Rees Field next weekend against Bishops Diocesan College.

Scorers

Grey College 40 (19) – Tries: Ruben Cilliers (2), Danie Kruger, Alzeadon Felix, Dian Venter, Heinz Stockenström. Conversions: Stockenström (5). Paarl Boys’ High 28 (14) – Tries: Aiden Jacobs, Cruz Davey, Gersham Pieters. Conversions: Viaan Mentoor (2). Penalties: Mentoor (3).

Other results

u19 – Paarl Boys’ High II 29, Grey College II 25.

u16 – Grey College A 31, Paarl Boys’ High A 25.

u15 – Grey College A 29, Paarl Boys’ High A 7.

u14 – Grey College A 36, Paarl Boys’ High A 19.

Willem Louw
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.