By Neale Emslie
Nico Malan came within a whisker of registering a memorable victory over the highly rated Graeme College but had to settle for a 27-27 draw when the final penalty of the match drifted wide of the uprights.
Played on Nico Malan’s home turf in Humansdorp, it was another bruising encounter between two fiercely competitive sides, reminiscent of last year’s thrilling clash, which Graeme edged 43-42.
This time, the momentum swung dramatically throughout the contest. The home side led 15-3 at halftime after crossing for three tries, only for Graeme to storm back and open up a 27-15 advantage. Nico Malan, however, refused to yield and mounted a desperate late fightback with two further tries.
As the final whistle approached, Graeme was pressing deep on attack before a knock-on handed Nico Malan possession from a scrum near their own tryline. Showing tremendous spirit, the hosts launched one final assault, working their way upfield before earning a penalty just inside the Graeme half.
The opportunity to snatch victory ultimately went begging as the kick drifted wide, but the Humansdorp side should take immense pride from a performance in which they matched one of the province’s strongest teams.
Graeme was tested repeatedly by the home side’s direct approach, with Nico Malan’s powerful forwards making strong inroads through determined ball-carrying and physicality.
Yet, when the visitors were able to unleash their attacking game, they were devastating. A purple patch between the 43rd and 48th minutes saw Ibenathi Kondile, Asakhe Ranuga, and Lucritia Magau score three rapid tries, stunning the home crowd and seemingly putting Graeme in control with a 12-point lead.
Nico Malan recognised that persistence with their hard-running approach could still yield rewards and excellent tries by wing Kobus Strydom and fullback Reagan Stone, who completed his brace, brought them level.
A missed conversion attempt denied the hosts the lead before the final penalty opportunity also went astray.
In many ways, the draw was a fair reflection of a match in which both sides enjoyed periods of dominance during an absorbing 70 minutes.
On the Kolisi Field at Grey High, the gulf between the hosts and the Daniel Pienaar Tigers was emphatically illustrated as the men in blue ran in 14 tries on their way to a commanding 94-5 victory.
The visitors enjoyed a memorable moment late in the contest when fullback Cariston Mapoe sped around the Grey defence for a try in the corner, but it was otherwise a difficult afternoon spent trying to contain relentless waves of attacking rugby.
Centre Sibulele Ngebulana capitalised on the space created around him to score a hat-trick, while Adam Fourie, Chris Vosloo, and Micah Wessels each bagged two tries.
Flyhalf Nathan Trytsman contributed 24 points from the tee, converting 12 of Grey’s 14 tries.
In Makhanda, Kingswood College produced a similarly dominant first-half display as their high-tempo, physical approach overwhelmed Die Brandwag, powering them to a 54-0 halftime lead.
The second half told a different story. Brandwag hooker Francu Fouché profited from the visitors’ powerful maul to score a hat-trick, while Rezanio Petrus added a try and a conversion.
That meant the Kariega side outscored Kingswood 22-12 after the break, but by then the damage had already been done as the home side cruised to victory.
Scorers:
Graeme College 27 (3) – Tries: Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau, Asakhe Ranuga (2). Penalty: Nelson. Conversions: Nelson (2). Nico Malan 27 (15) – Tries: Reagan Stone (2), Ruben van Dijk (2), Kobus Strydom. Conversion: Lleyton Mienie.
Grey High 94 (54) – Tries: Michael Nyandoro, Adam Fourie (2), Chris Vosloo (2), Zola Yeye, Silindezihle Ntshokoma, Sibulele Ngebulana (3), Blake Parker, Anfred Jansen, Micah Wessels (2). Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (12). HTS Daniel Pienaar 5 (0) – Tries: Cariston Mapoe.
Kingswood College 66 (54) – scorers not available. Brandwag 22 (0) – Tries: Francu Fouche (3), Rezanio Petrus. Conversion: Petrus.