THE schools’ First Rugby Teams of Nelson Mandela Bay can expect tough encounters when they play in festivals around the country this year.
This was very clear this past weekend when Grey, Brandwag and Despatch made the trip to George, to be part of the Centenary Festival of Outeniqua High.
Grey played their first match of the season and came back strongly in the second half to beat Stellenberg 22–20. It was the first match ever between these schools.
Stellenberg were leading 20–10 at half-time, but tries by Imaani Pemba (hooker and captain) and Kaiden Titus (left wing), followed by a yellow card for Stellenberg, sealed the deal for Grey.
Like Grey, Despatch also launched a fine comeback in the second half. Oudtshoorn was leading 10–3 at the break, but Despatch never gave up to make it 17–17 at the end.
Worcester Gym was too strong for Brandwag (Kariega) and won 39–12.
In Humansdorp the clash between Nico Malan and the visitors from Makhanda, St Andrews, was a real thriller.
St Andrews was leading 12-5 at halftime but just couldn’t hang on. The home side scored the winning try in the corner with the last movement of the match to win 18-17.
Scores
Nico Malan 18, St Andrews 17; Grey 22, Stellenberg 20; Worcester Gym 39, Brandwag 12; Despatch 17, Oudtshoorn 17; Pearson 34, Otto du Plessis 11; Graeme College 41, Daniel Pienaar 0; Framesby 19, Muir 0.
The next mission for Bay schools is the Graeme College annual festival in Makhanda.
This event is always one of the highlights in the early stages of the season.
This year the festival is even more special, as it is part of the 150th birthday celebrations of Graeme College.
The normal one-day festival has been extended to run over three days – from tomorrow till Saturday.
As usual the top teams from the Bay will be in action. With the likes of Grey College, Hilton and SACS also involved, the action will be followed countrywide by a huge audience.
This will be an opportunity for the Bay players to promote their schools, and themselves, with some top-class performances.
There are a mouth-watering 17 fixtures to look forward to between the respective first teams on the main field, while the age group sides will clash in 34 matches on the other two fields.
A total of 73 teams will be in action.
Fixtures main field
Thursday
10:00: St Andrews v SACS
11:20: Brandwag v Hilton
12:40: Kingswood v Queens
14:00: Framesby v Graeme
15:20: Grey College v Marlow
Friday
08:00: Port Alfred v Woodridge
09:15: Mary Waters v Union
10:30: Daniel Pienaar v Cambridge
11:45: Muir v Stirling
13:00: Pearson v Dale
14:15: Nico Malan v Selborne
15:30: Grey v Hudson
Saturday
10:00: Brandwag v Queens
11:20: Framesby v Hilton
12:40: Marlow v Kingswood
14:00: St Andrews v Grey College
15:20: Graeme v SACS
