The Grey High u/17 rugby side very nearly won another leg of the national Frogfoot Sevens tournament.
Boland XV just got the better of Grey in the final of the Outeniqua Kwaggas 7s, this past Saturday, in George.
In a very exciting and close affair the Bolanders won 19-17 after leading 7-5 at half-time.
This was the fourth of the nine legs of the tournaments all over South Africa. The respective tournament winners all qualify to play in the finals on November 5 in Pretoria.
Grey might just get a chance to turn the tables on the Bolanders in Pretoria. The Grey boys were the winners of the first leg of the tournament in Gqeberha, which booked their place in the finals.
In the semi-final, Grey beat Montagu 22-10 and Boland XV just got the better of the hosts Outeniqua. Boland won 21-17.
Another team from Nelson Mandela Bay, Framesby, was also in action in George. Framesby had to settle for sixth place in the tournament.
Framesby started well in the play-off for the fifth and sixth places against Diamantveld (Kimberley).
In the first half, Framesby scored some fine tries and were leading 21-7 at half-time. At that stage it looked as though Framesby was home and dry.
In this format of the game, things can change quickly as Framesby found out in the second half. Framesby faded badly and Diamantveld finished strongly to win 26-21.
Nathan Smith, of Outeniqua, was named as the player of the tournament and was just one of many talented players who caught the eye with sensational performances.
A former captain of the South Western Districts Eagles’ senior side, Jacques Vermaak, was an interested spectator at the tournament.
“Here are so many talented players. It was good to see the smaller rugby schools participate.
“There are special players in those schools and it is important for them to get this kind of exposure.
“For some of them, a good performance here could be the start of bigger things. For school players it is vital to always give your best at tournaments of this nature.”
Nico Malan also hosted a successful sevens tournament, in Humansdorp, on Saturday. St Andrews of Makhanda beat Paarl Boys’ High 26-12 in the final.
The hosts had to settle for a 12-12 draw against Graeme College in their final match of the tournament, which was a real thriller.
Nico Malan missed a golden opportunity to win the match when an easy conversion, just before the final whistle, didn’t find the target.
Brandwag and Humansdorp Secondary finished the tournament on a high.
Brandwag beat Despatch 43-0 and Humansdorp worked hard to down Daniel Pienaar 15-7.
Primary schools also participated in Humansdorp. Stulting was the overall winner.
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