Paul Roos props power Maroon Machine to victory in Paarl
Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) exacted their revenge against Paarl Gimnasium on the J.A. Kriel Field on Saturday, thanks to a massive performance by the Maroon Machine‘s pack of forwards.
Last year, Paarl Gim enjoyed a victorious visit to Stellenbosch, undoing Paul Roos 24-19. However, since returning from a tour of Ireland in December, the PRG first XV has been an unstoppable force, and they continued their winning ways in Paarl, recording a 23-17 victory.
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As expected, the battle between the two big forward packs took centre stage. Both of the visitors’ tries came through their burly props, Oliver Reid and Hendry du Plessis, and Gim’s vice-captain and flanker, Jan Koegelenberg, went over for their only five-pointer.
With both teams leaving it all on the field in defence, an intense kicking duel between Paul Roos’s flyhalf Joshua Dampies and the Gimmie sharpshooter Freek de Kock also unfolded.
Dampies contributed 13 points off the kicking tee and De Kock scored the majority of his side’s points by successfully converting four penalty kicks.
Early on, Paul Roos went ahead when Dampies landed a penalty, but it was Koegelenberg who crossed the try line first to edge Gim in front.
Reid muscled over for the visitors’ first try in the 26th minute after a brilliant inside ball by his scrumhalf Adeeb Boraine and, despite having to absorb a lot of pressure late in the half, Paul Roos went into the break with a 16-11 lead.
The effects of a long season and midweek trials were evident in the second half. However, although the players were tired, they kept hammering away at one another.
With 20 minutes to play, the home team wrestled back the lead from Paul Roos, but a late try by Du Plessis secured the win for the Stellenbosch side. It was their tenth victory without defeat this season.
Ely Williams, Dawie Stemmet and JJ du Preez put in a solid shift in the front row for the home team to make the Maroon Machine sweat and captain Kobus Blanckenberg spearheaded the Gim attack.
Matthew Kleyn played an exceptional game for Paul Roos, popping up everywhere on the field while also making a couple of crucial tackles, and Dampies directed their attack expertly, keeping a cool head, even after making a couple of early mistakes, to play a key role in his side’s success.
The bulk of the credit will go to the big forward pack, though, who worked extremely hard to outmuscle Paarl Gim.
Soon, many of these boys will be sharing the field at the Craven Week, representing Western Province. Judging by the quality of rugby the two powerhouses put on show this weekend, that WP side will be a force to be reckoned with again this year.
Scorers
Paul Roos Gimnasium 23 (16) – Tries: Oliver Reid, Hendry du Plessis. Conversions: Joshua Dampies (2). Penalties: Dampies (3). Paarl Gimnasium 17 (11) – Try: Jan Koegelenberg. Penalties: Freek de Kock (4).
Other results
u19 – Paul Roos II 19. Paarl Gimnasium II 15; Paarl Gimnasium III 21, Paul Roos III 21; Paul Roos IV 14, Paarl Gimnasium IV 10; Paul Roos V 14, Paarl Gimnasium V 5; Paul Roos VI 12, Paarl Gimnasium VI 3; Paul Roos VII 57, Paarl Gimnasium VII 0.
u16 – Paarl Gimnasium A 20, Paul Roos A 7; Paarl Gimnasium B 22, Paul Roos B 10; Paul Roos C 26, Paarl Gimnasium C 3; Paul Roos D 45, Paarl Gimnasium D 0.
u15 – Paarl Gimnasium A 15, Paul Roos A 13; Paul Roos B 20, Paarl Gimnasium B 3; Paul Roos C 35, Paarl Gimnasium C 7; Paul Roos D 58, Paarl Gimnasium D 0.
u14 – Paarl Gimnasium A 9, Paul Roos A 5; Paarl Gimnasium B 20, Paul Roos B 8; Paul Roos C 17, Paarl Gimnasium C 3; Paul Roos D 35, Paarl Gimnasium D 10; Paul Roos E 42, Paarl Gimnasium E 5.
