Parktown on top in nine-try thriller against Saints in King Price Derby Series
Parktown Boys’ High came out on top of a nine-try thriller against St Stithians College in a King Price Derby Series clash on Baytopp field on Saturday.
The visitors won by 30-27 in the end after the Saints turned down a shot at goal from right in front of the posts in injury time, which would have salvaged a draw for them.
Instead, they chose a scrum and went on the charge off it, only to knock the ball on and hand the win to a jubilant Parktown team.
The half-time score was 12-12, with both sides scoring two tries and converting one. Those missed kicks were to set the tone for the game, with both kickers having an off day and a load of possible points left on the table.
Saints were first on the board through a try by winger Calvin Wagner in the fifth minute following a full backline move.
Parktown’s Ndzalo Mahubela pulled one back soon afterwards, and they then went ahead through lock Chulu Xongwane, off a rolling maul. Wagner then got his second touchdown, in a similar fashion to his first, to level the scores at the break.
Saints fullback Tindashe Mambure scored directly from the second half kickoff, and Matthew Anderson added the conversion to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game, 19-12. Anderson then added a penalty to make it 22-12, and a home victory looked on the cards.
The elusive Parktown backs began to work their magic, however. Centre Christian Cele scored following a move that started in his own half, and winger Yazheka Ntshona went over following good work by scrumhalf and King of the Match, Andile Zondo. That levelled the scores at 22-all.
Parktown went ahead in the 26th minute through Hlayisani Mbambo, only for Saints to draw level again through replacement prop Larson Rujuwa. The kickers were both sending the conversion attempts wide at that stage before Parktown’s Lethabo Malahlele got one right, from a penalty in the 32nd minute to put his side 30-27 ahead.
Then came that frantic final minute and the failed quest for glory by the Saints. It brought a highly entertaining spectacle to a close.
Scorers:
Parktown Boys’ High 30 (12) – Tries: Ndzalo Makhubela, Chulu Xingwane; Christian Cele, Yakheza Ntshona, Hlayisani Mbabmo. Conversion: Lethabo Malahlele. Penalty: Lethabo Malahlele. St Stithians College 27 (12) – Tries: Calvin Wagner (2), Tinodashe Mambure, Larson Rujuwa. Conversions: Matthew Anderson (2). Penalty: Matthew Anderson.
