Queen’s and St Andrew’s College run rampant

After a closely contested first half, Queen’s College found their rhythm in the second period to ultimately overwhelm a gutsy Port Rex Technical High outfit 57-10 in their clash on the Rec Field, in Komani, on Saturday.

The visitors fought hard to match their high-flying opponents, who are enjoying one of their best seasons in Eastern Cape schools’ rugby for many years.

Port Rex scored a converted try and a penalty in the first half to make it 17-10 at the break, leaving the match very much in the balance.

But Queen’s then showed how dangerous an attacking side they can be, ruthlessly exploiting their opponents’ defensive mistakes to run in six tries and 30 unanswered points to record a comfortable victory.

The visitors simply ran out of steam as they tried to plug the gaps while Queen’s attacked from all parts of the field.

With their tails up, Queen’s didn’t hesitate to run the ball from deep inside their own half and, as spaces opened up, their dangerous backs, led by fullback Mveli Mqulo and wings Ncutu Kepe and Ayathanda Mtyando, took advantage to each cross for a brace of tries.

Fittingly, it was their hardworking flank and captain Jeffery Niland who crossed for their ninth and last try as the home side completed a satisfying afternoon’s performance.

It was a hard day for the underdogs because Cambridge High also found it tough going against St Andrew’s College in East London, losing 31-70 after trailing 19-42 at the break.

While the final gap was significant, Cambridge deserves plenty of credit for their fighting spirit. They never threw in the towel and crossed for five tries of their own.

St Andrew’s hooker Amo Habi had a field day behind a dominant pack, dotting down four times, while their try scorers also included locks William Beamish (2) and Matthew Harvey.

In a remarkable display of kicking accuracy, fullback Will Stevens converted all 10 tries scored by St Andrew’s.

SCORERS

Queen’s College 57 (17) – Tries: Ncutu Kepe (2), Mveli Mqulo (2), Ayathanda Mtyando (2), Bulumko Manqina, Jeffery Niland, Acwenga Saul. Conversions: Conversions: Mveli Mqulo (6). Port Rex Technical High 10 (10) – Try: Lonwabo Mtwapi. Penalty: Ndimphiwe Songqwaba. Conversion: Songqwaba.

St Andrew’s College 70 (42) – Tries: Amo Habi (4), William Beamish (2), Asante Chivere, David Chorley, Matthew Harvey, Qhawe Madikizela. Conversions: Will Stevens (10). Cambridge High 31 (19) – Tries: Lisakhanya Magoxo (2), Imange Roto, Lithemba Mpikwa, Luphumzo Maqabeni. Conversions: Mange Mhlonyeni (3).