IT took a lot of guts and brilliant place-kicking, but the Eastern Province u/16 rugby team finished the Grant Khomo Week in Paarl unbeaten.
The Grey High flyhalf, Travis Pheiffer, played a key role with his educated boot in last week’s victories over Border Country Districts, Border and Boland.
The EP boys got off to a good start when they beat Border Country Districts in their first match 26–14. EP scored four tries against two, and vice-captain Pheiffer missed just one conversion.
Pheiffer also kicked beautifully in the next match, when EP won the East Cape derby against Border 34–17. He converted all four tries, and added two penalties. His only miss was a long-range penalty attempt.
EP had an excellent first half against their provincial neighbour, leading 31–0 at the break.
They took things easy after the break, scoring four tries in the first half, with Border scoring their three tries in the second half.
In their third and last match, EP came up against home side Boland in challenging conditions.
This fixture was played on a muddy field, and at times during the match it was raining. It was a gutsy effort from the EP boys to win 15–13.
EP struggled in the scrums but never gave up, and gave their all to try to win this match.
Boland scored the only two tries, but Pheiffer kicked brilliantly from the tee, winning the match with his five penalties. This was wonderful place kicking in difficult conditions, under immense pressure. He kicked the winning penalty just minutes before the final whistle.
The EP Girls’ teams, u/18 and u/16, are expected to do well in their respective Youth Weeks which start on Monday, in Johannesburg.
“They worked hard in the practices. There was 100% commitment,” said the convener of selectors, Valerie Witbooi. “Last year the u/16s performed very well and many of those players are now in the u/18 squad. The coaches are smiling about this.”
The u/16 coach, Enrico Grootboom from Gelvandale Youth Club, is optimistic about a good showing from a talented group of players.
“I think this team, especially the backline, will surprise many. We have players with really good ball skills at the back, and the forwards also look solid.
“With ball skills like this, and good fitness, I expect big things.
“For the girls it is much more than just representing our province. Many of them play to prove something, to show others that there are many better things out there for the youth.
“More and more of our schools are getting interested in Girls’ rugby. Schools and parents are also much more involved than last year,” said Grootboom.
The Girls’ tournaments end on Friday.
Next week we will review EP’s performance at the u/18 Craven Week in George, which started on Monday and runs till Saturday.
