Queen’s comes from behind to down Grey High
Elusive Queen’s College fullback Mveli Mqulo sparked a thrilling victory for his team as they continued their outstanding season with a 25-24 win over Grey High, in Komani, on Saturday.
In a clash that went down to the wire, Queen’s trailed their Gqeberha rivals for most of the game but eventually managed to take the lead with a Mqulo-inspired attack in the 54th minute.
An up-and-under into the Queen’s half was collected by the enterprising fullback and he set off on a weaving run, beating a number of defenders as he raced into the Grey 22. As the cover defence closed in on Mqulo, he found Splash Magwebu in space on his right and the centre took the pass to score under the poles.
Mqulo added the conversion and from 13-17 down, Queen’s led for the first time (20-17) in a match in which neither side managed to establish a clear superiority.
An indication of this came seven minutes later when Grey reclaimed the lead after their forwards put Queen’s under immense pressure with a series of mauls in the home team’s 22.
That resulted in flank Cody Wilmot crossing for a try, which was converted by Meyer Prinsloo to make it 24-20 to the visitors.
But Queen’s was not done. They forced their way back deep into Grey’s territory. Then, from a scrum on the 22, scrumhalf Ayola Somhlahlo put in an accurate cross-kick which eluded the defenders and wing Ayathanda Mtyando was on hand to dot down for the match-winning try.
There were still five minutes left and although Grey fought hard to get back in front, Queen’s held on to celebrate their first win over the Gqeberha team since 2014.
In the first half, Grey, who led 14-7 at the break, crossed for two tries by hardworking loose forward David Melariri, while Queen’s wing Ncutu Kepe shot through a gap for their only score of the half.
In Makanda, St Andrew’s College overcame early resistance from Selborne College to seize control of their match in the first half. They led 33-10 at halftime and went on to a comfortable 40-10 victory.
After Selborne opened the scoring with a penalty by fullback Bungqina Nuku, St Andrew’s crossed for an unconverted try before the visitors regained the lead when Zothando Mrara scored from a rolling maul.
Nuku added the conversion to make it 10-5 but that was the end of the scoring for Selborne as the Andreans found their rhythm and were able to slip into their free-flowing style, scoring four more first half tries, which included outstanding individual efforts from Will Stevens and Aphindile Ngcuka.
The second half was a little flat compared to the first, but St Andrew’s crossed for one more try and stood firm in defence to secure a decisive victory.
After a tightly contested first half, which ended at 10-10, Graeme College gradually gained the ascendancy to defeat Hudson Park 27-22 in East London.
As expected on their home turf, Hudson came out firing and it took immense resolve from the Graemians to stay level with them in the first period.
But with Alden Walters slotting two penalties and three conversions, Graeme go their noses in front and built up a handy 27-15 lead before a late try by Hudson narrowed the final margin to five points.
Centre Erin Nelson stood out for Graeme, while No 8 Ayamila Bill and flank Ayola Mali showed their strength up front to lead the Hudson challenge.
In another match that was in the balance at halftime, Ooskus Gymnasium managed to take control of the second period to run out 27-15 winners over Stirling High.
Ooskus opened the scoring when Kwagga Liebenberg put flyhalf Juan Nel into a gap for a try under the posts. Nel, then, slotted a penalty to make it 10-0.
Stirling fought back well before halftime with a try and a penalty to keep themselves in the game.
Ooskus responded well and created a handy cushion when flank Roussouw Nel scored twice, once from a charge-down and the second from a pick-and-go as the forwards drove for the line.
Stirling reacted with their second try, but Ooskus was solid in defence and dominated most of the contest to maintain their lead, with Liebenberg scoring their fourth try.
Kingswood College captured a sensational last-minute win in their clash with Port Rex, narrowly getting home 20-17 after leading 10-3 at the break.
With the East London side leading 17-15, Kingswood was able to feed the ball to their big wing, James Mackenzie, and he crossed for his second try of the match to snatch a hard-fought win.
SCORERS
Queen’s College 25 (7) – Tries: Ncutu Kepe, Splash Magwebu, Ayathando Mtyando. Penalties: Mqulo (2). Conversions: Mqulo (2). Grey High School 24 (14) – Tries: David Melariri (2), Cody Wilmot. Penalty: Meyer Prinsloo. Conversions: Prinsloo (3).
St Andrew’s College 40 (33) – Tries: Amo Habi (2), Luca Nigrini, Will Stevens, Aphindile Ngcuka, Asante Chivere. Conversions: Stevens (5). Selborne College 10 (10) – Try: Zothanda Mrara. Penalty: Bungqina Nuku. Conversion: Nuku.
Graeme College 27 (10) – Tries: Inathi Planga, Lidwala Maliti, Elgin Fanton. Penalties: Alden Walters (2). Conversions: Walters (3). Hudson Park High 22 (10) – Tries: Ukhona Khama (2), Likho Gidi. Penalty: Landile Gidi. Conversions: Landile Gidi (2).
Ooskus Gym 27 (10) – Tries: Juan Nel, Roussouw Nel (2), Kwagga Liebenberg. Penalty: Nel. Conversions: Nel (2). Stirling High 15 (8) – not available.
Kingswood College 20 (10) – Tries: James Mackenzie (2), Matthew Paxton. Penalty: James McMahon. Conversion: James McMahon. Port Rex 17 (3) – Tries: Ethan Schoeman, Mivuyo Kongela. Penalty: Ndimphiwe Songqwaba. Conversion: Songqwaba (2).
