Northcliff and Windhoek produce a classic at Saints Easter Festival
With just about five minutes to go, it looked like Windhoek High as if the Namibians were about to end their battle with Northcliff High as the winners, but there was a final twist in the tale, and Northcliff snatched a last-gasp 40-35 victory at the Saints Sports Festival in Johannesburg on Saturday.
With 10 minutes to play, Windhoek High, trailing Northcliff 30-32, stole the ball from kick-off. They quickly whipped the ball out wide, where eighthman Isaiah Kazandovi crashed through the defensive line and made 20 metres before being brought down five metres shy of the try line.
As he went to ground, he popped the ball up for flyhalf MC-Rein van Wyk, who dived over for a try to add to his highlight plays, which included a drop-goal in Thursday’s win over the Hartpury College XV.
Only a few minutes later, Northcliff’s loosehead prop Jordan Venter turned the tables from the base of the ruck. Spotting space around the fringes of the breakdown, he sniped with the flair of a scrumhalf to seal the deal.
After Thursday’s intense loss against Windhoek High, the Hartpury College XV, from Gloucestershire, made the most of their opportunities to cruise to a comfortable 47-18 victory over a Hoërskool Garsfontein Invitational XV.
Christian Gordon-Astbury, on the left wing, scored a special try that required some finishing. It’s no surprise he’s enjoyed time with the Leicester Tigers youth academy.
He took possession of the ball on the blindside from a failed lineout maul attempt on the Garsies‘ five-metre line before stepping inside to beat his man. Then, he bounced off another defender before collecting five points.
Presented with good ball from their hard-working forwards, the English outfit’s backs impressed, demonstrating an accurate kicking and passing game.
Garsies had their moments, too. scoring their first try of the festival in style. They gathered momentum through a series of phases in the opposition 22-metre area, before letting the ball loose down the line, where inside centre Gustav de Waal threw a skip pass for left wing Teagan Eckard, who dived into the left corner for five points.
The reaction of the Pretoria side, which jumped for joy, showed how much it meant to them.
Scorers:
Northcliff High 40 (17) – Tries: Ethan Leonette (2), Luke Bloomberg, Troy Kaminsky, Jonothan Haw, Jacques Fourie, Jordan Venter. Conversions: Jonothan Haw (3). Penalties: Haw (2). Windhoek High 35 (15) – Tries: Carlos Florian, MC-Rein van Wyk, Xavier Bampton, William Beukes. Conversions: MC-Rein van Wyk (3). Penalties: Van Wyk (3).
Hartpury College 47 (5) – Tries: Christian Gordon-Astbury (2), Alex Orehawa, Rakhat Clarkson, Luca Stickings, Felix Baker, Jardel Furness. Conversions: Cynyr MacRae (6). Hoërskool Garsfontein Invitational XV 18 (6) – Tries: Teagan Eckard, Tristan Wepener. Conversion: Katlego Lebelo. Penalties: Katlego Lebelo (2).
