Sakawuli bags a brace in Saints’ scintillating Baytopp victory
After a game of two halves, St Stithians College managed to hold onto their first-half lead to enjoy only their third Pink Derby Day victory over St John’s College since its inception in 2016.
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A penalty by flyhalf, Oliver Wilson, sealed the deal for Saints as they came away with a 25-21 win in a scintillating King Price Derby Series clash against their old foes.
The St Stithians’ triumph continued the trend of the past three years of the home side claiming bragging rights. The win also meant Saints was victorious in the inaugural King Price Derby Series showdown between the Johannesburg rivals.
Apart from the penalty that ensured victory, Wilson slotted another and added two conversions for a personal contribution of 10 points, which was one of the deciding factors in the match.
Another was a brace of tries from fullback, Sicelo Sakawuli, who has been selected for the Golden Lions Academy Week side at centre.
He shone in the first half. Feeding off the early dominance of the Saints’ pack, who put the visitors to the sword, and profiting from some silky handling, Sakawuli trotted over twice in the first 35 minutes to help Saints to a comfortable 22-0 lead by the break.
Up front, lock Luke Thorrald and the loose trio, especially openside flank Sipho Cele, provided the fire.
Thorrold was named the King Price King of the Match for his tireless performance in the second row. Cele, also a thorn in the side of the Blues, kept the visitors busy with his relentless work rate at ruck time, along with some big carries in broken play.
Flank Ross Turner also showed up, mostly during the first half, with commanding ball carries, which, in turn, gave the backs ample opportunity to launch wave after wave of attacks.
However, one must wonder what was said in the St John’s shed during the break.
Captain Joshua Shannon led by example. Knowing that his side dearly needed a score, the Blues’ hooker dived over within the first moments of the second half, which helped swing the momentum in favour of the visitors. He found valiant support from tighthead prop Stephanus Kritzinger, who threw his body around all over the park.
At flyhalf, Gerald van Wyk delivered another standout performance in his last Pink Day Derby. On more than one occasion, he showcased nifty footwork to beat the first defender, which created space and opportunities for St John’s to go on the offensive.
Van Wyk’s sharp reading of the game led to right wing, Tumelo Bopape, dotting down after he chased a well-placed chip kick from the flyhalf shortly after Shannon’s visit behind the whitewash.
His colleague on the other side of the field, left wing, Lwandle Khupe, also burst through the defences, with an intercept try, which was fair reward for some stellar defence from the visitors.
For 30 minutes of the second stanza, Saints were kept quiet, but Wilson’s second penalty then sealed the victory shortly before the final whistle.
St Benedict’s College was made to battle for a one-point victory over Christian Brothers’ College after the side from Boksburg led 16-10 at halftime in Bedfordview.
Bennies‘ centres, Samuel Sendwe (outside centre) and Wade Ramsay (inside centre), both crashed over in short succession late in the match and Sendwe nailed both conversions to lift the home team to a nail-biting 24-23 win.
His nine-point contribution backed up an exciting attacking performance in broken play as he and Ramsay kept the Boksburg boys busy throughout the 70 minutes.
Up front, lock Leandro Varonou laid a solid platform for the pair. He led the fightback with his intimidating runs, getting over the advantage line every time he touched the ball.
Scorers
St Stithians College 25 (22) – Tries: Sicelo Sakawuli (2), Cade Elsey. Conversions: Oliver Wilson (2). Penalties: Wilson (2). St John’s College 21 (0) – Tries: Joshua Shannon, Tumelo Bopape, Lwandle Khupe. Conversions: Gerald van Wyk (3).
St Benedict’s College 24 (10) – Tries: Samuel Sendwe, Leandro Varonou, Thabiso Maposa, Wade Ramsay. Conversions: Sendwe (2). CBC Boksburg 23 (16).
Other teams
u16: St Stithians College 24, St John’s 17; St Benedict’s College 33, CBC Boksburg 19.
u15: St Stithians College 40, St John’s College 12; St Benedict’s College 77, CBC Boksburg 0.
u14: St Stithians 29, St John’s College 24; St Benedict’s College 66, CBC Boksburg 0.
