Paul Roos dumps Rondebosch, Strand edges out Swartland
Paul Roos Gimnasium delivered one of their best games of the season on Saturday, defeating the travelling Rondebosch Boys’ High 48-12 on Doornbosch Field.
Wing Jordan Steenkamp, scored a fantastic hat-trick, slicing through the opposition like butter.
His fellow speedster, fullback Keenan Stoffels, also utilised his pace and fast feet to almost replicate his teammate’s performance, scoring a brace.
The home side started strongly, scoring two tries out wide in the first 10 minutes to go 12-0 up.
The first was dotted down by Steenkamp, who wriggled his way through two defenders for the score. The second was finished by Stoffels, who exhibited some fancy footwork to step around the last defender.
The hosts were kept quiet for a 15-minute period before scoring three tries in quick succession to enjoy a comfortable lead 29-0 at the half-time break.
Rondebosch had their moments. Running along the touchline in the 50th minute, outside centre David Kadima, pulled off a neat chip and collect before being brought down just short of the try-line. Prop Damian Spence, then picked up the ball and made the dive for five.
Rondebosch has the talent to compete with any side. However, on Saturday they lacked their usual team chemistry.
Getting the ball out wide was a key tactic for the Maroon Machine. Using wrap-around moves, they often created overlaps on either side of the rucks. After that, it was about using their quick hands to overwhelm the ‘Bosch defences.
Strand took on Swartland, meanwhile, and made good use of their home ground advantage to capture a thrilling 25-20 win.
Both sides scored memorable tries, but it was the boot of scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp that proved to be the difference. He slotted two crucial penalties to seal the win.
Swartland led 20-10 at half-time, but it was a game of fine margins. Both sides attacked well, but one or two quick moves from the set-piece by Strand, and some slow ball at the breakdown from Swartland made a difference.
Strand’s goal-kicking won them the match. Photo: Haygan Orlam
The most exciting moment of the match came in the 43rd minute, when Strand closed the deficit from 10 points to just three. From a collapsed rolling maul, they swiftly moved the ball down the line. Then, outside centre Kealon Milton ran a hard line straight into a gap and he was over beneath the posts.
Swartland brought plenty to the game and produced some excellent rugby in the first half. Strand, though, had the answers in an evenly contested clash.
Scorers
Paul Roos 48 (29) – Tries: Jordan Steenkamp (3), Keenan Stoffels (2), Altus Rabe, Ian Smith, Caleb Koeberg. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4); Rondebosch 12 (0) – Tries: Damian Spence, Finn Watermeyer. Conversions: Sebastian Boshoff.
Strand 25 (10) – Tries: Kealon Milton, Ashton Mitchell, Rohan Bezuidenhout. Conversions: Jayden Steenkamp (2). Penalties: Jayden Steenkamp (2); Swartland 20 (20) – Tries: Eben van Wyk, Dimitrios Boutsikaris. Conversions: de Wet van Aswagen (2). Penalties: de Wet van Aswagen (2).
Other results
u19 – Paul Roos II 22 Rondebosch II 7, Paul Roos III 41 Rondebosch III 7, Paul Roos IV 50 Rondebosch IV 0, Paul Roos V 31 Rondebosch V 0; Strand II 24 Swartland II 7, Strand III 32 Swartland III 17.
u16 – Paul Roos A 26 Rondebosch A 19, Paul Roos B 32 Rondebosch B 19, Paul Roos C 28 Rondebosch C 0; Strand A 30 Swartland A 24, Strand B 33 Swartland B 32.
u15 – Paul Roos A 15 Rondebosch A 19, Paul Roos B 42 Rondebosch B 0, Paul Roos C 62 Rondebosch 7; Strand A 5 Swartland A 0, Strand B 26 Swartland B 0, Strand C 78 Swartland C 0.
u14 – Paul Roos A 61 Rondebosch A 3, Paul Roos B 63 Rondebosch B 0, Paul Roos C 73 Rondebosch C 5, Paul Roos D 109 Rondebosch D 0; Strand A 19 Swartland A 14, Strand B 24 Swartland B 7, Strand C 17 Swartland C 19.
