Stellies survive Oakdale, Strand holds off Tigers
After an intense contest in which both sides tested the other’s set-pieces, Stellenberg High defeated Oakdale Landbou 15-13 in Riversdal on Saturday.
The much-anticipated lineout battle narrowly tilted the Jade Brigade‘s way, and it brought 8th-man Yanos Molnar a try shortly before the end of the first stanza.
Midway through the second half, the Farmers’ no. 8, Jacobus de Villiers, showed why he was selected for the SA Schools’ side in his Grade 11 year. Like a runaway train, inside the Stellies’ 22, he powered through three would-be tacklers to score a try.
The game was mostly about the battle between two potent packs, but it was ultimately the boots of the flyhalves that decided the outcome.
After the teams changed sides at 12-10 to the visitors, Oakdale flyhalf Caleb Williams succeeded with one of two penalty kicks in the second half, while Stellies’ flyhalf Ethan van Biljon secured the visitors’ only three points after the break with an accurate penalty strike.
Both sides demonstrated why they have been giant slayers in recent years. Their goals will be to maintain that consistency in future seasons.
In a cracking contest which went down to the wire, Hoërskool Strand edged out Hoërskool Tygerberg 24-22, with the home crowd letting out a sigh of relief after the full-time whistle blew.
It was a grungy and physical battle, with the Strand forwards scoring three out of their four tries. Lock Robert de Villiers, openside flank Josh Lourens, and eighthman Rohan Bezuidenhout all muscled their way through an aggressive Tigers‘ defence.
Behind the pack, scrumhalf Jason Hartogh used his insightful vision to dart through a space between the opposition defenders for a try, and flyhalf Leathon Lewis converted twice off the kicking tee for four crucial points.
After a 31-31 draw with Hoërskool Robertson last week, Tygerberg will be frustrated by such a narrow defeat away from home. They’ll be aiming to earn their first victory in five games when they next take on Hoërskool Bellville.
Scorers
Stellenberg High 15 (12) – Tries: Ralton Rhode, Yanos Molnar. Conversion: Ethan van Biljon. Penalty: Van Biljon. Oakdale Landbou 13 (3) – Try: Jacobus de Villiers. Conversion: Caleb Williams. Penalties: Williams (2).
Hoërskool Strand 24 – Tries: Rohan Bezuidenhout, Joshua Lourens, Robert de Villiers, Jason Hartogh. Conversions: Leathan Lewis (2). Hoërskool Tygerberg 22 – N/A.
Results
U19 – Oakdale I 13 Stellenberg I 15, Oakdale II 26 Stellenberg II 14, Oakdale III 14 Stellenberg III 10, Oakdale IV 12 Stellenberg IV 5, Oakdale V 31 Stellenberg V 14, Oakdale VI 52 Stellenberg VI 0.
U16 – Oakdale A 31 Stellenberg A 17, Oakdale B 25 Stellenberg B 22, Oakdale C 31 Stellenberg C 12, Oakdale D 45 Stellenberg D 7.
U15 – Oakdale A 17 Stellenberg A 12, Oakdale B 19 Stellenberg B 18, Oakdale C 15 Stellenberg C 5, Oakdale D 27 Stellenberg D 12.
U14 – Oakdale A 19 Stellenberg A 0, Oakdale B 17 Stellenberg B 12, Oakdale C 38 Stellenberg C 17, Oakdale D 52 Stellenberg D 0.
