THE Pearson rugby players can be forgiven if they do a bit of daydreaming in class this week; they are probably still wondering how this one got away.
Pearson (Gqeberha) was involved in an absolute thriller at the annual Graeme College festival in Makhanda. Dale College (Qonce) beat Pearson 22–20 last Friday. With just more than 10 minutes left in the match, it looked as though Pearson had it in the bag leading 20–10, but Dale fought back to make it 20–20 with a conversion to come. Dale missed the first kick but the second attempt was successful and they took the lead by two points (22–20).
Pearson, and the other teams from Nelson Mandela Bay, will no doubt have benefited from the tough matches at the festival, standing them in good stead for the kick-off of Eastern Province fixtures on April 15.
Two Kariega schools, Daniel Pienaar and Muir, had good victories over East London schools on Friday. Muir beat Stirling 21–10 and DP was too strong for Cambridge, winning 24–7.
Grey played in the main fixture and beat Hudson Park comfortably 27–7.
Brandwag (Kariega) and Framesby (Gqeberha) both played two matches at the festival and found it tough going.
Hilton College (KwaZulu-Natal Midlands) has a strong team and beat Brandwag 48–3. Queens College (Queenstown) was also too strong for Brandwag.
Framesby took on the hosts on the first day but Graeme College were deserving winners: 18–14. On Saturday the Hilton boys were at it again, this time beating Framesby 19–3.
Graeme College Festival results:
- Day 1: St Andrews 13, SACS 12; Hilton 48, Brandwag 3; Kingswood 21, Queens 12; Graeme 18, Framesby 14; Grey College 52, Marlow 12.
- Day 2: Woodridge 32, Port Alfred 0; Union 26, Mary Waters 7; Daniel Pienaar 24, Cambridge 7; Muir 21, Stirling 10; Dale 22, Pearson 20; Selborne 34, Nico Malan 17; Grey 27, Hudson Park 7.
) Day 3: Queens 22, Brandwag 0; Hilton 19, Framesby 3; Kingswood 34, Marlow 5; Grey College 48, St Andrews 0; SACS 19, Graeme 5.
Other results:
Otto du Plessis 31, Victoria Park 0; Bergsig 12, Itembelihle 3; Pearson 33, Westering 8; Andrew Rabie 24, Hangklip 19.
