From Queen’s College
Queen’s College started the season off with a tough encounter against Grens, from East London, at the annual Border Schools’ Rugby Day. The match was played in windy conditions at Selborne College.
Grens managed to gain ascendancy in the territorial and possession stakes for the majority of the first half. The Grens team attacked relentlessly and was only kept at bay by resolute Queen’s College defence. The Queenians when they had possession showed some enterprising play but the majority of these attacking forays were stopped by the resolute defence of the Grens team. Queen’s College were first to score in the 17th minute after Foslag made a telling line break and set up a great attacking platform. After some telling ball carries from the forwards, Mantanzima finally scored. The try was converted by Wagenaar.
The opening try seemed to spur the Queenians on as captain Oranje, scored the second try for Queen’s after catching the Grens eightman in possession on their try line. The forwards then managed to turn the ball over which saw Oranje dive over for Queen’s College’s second. The conversion was wide and the score was 12-0 to Queen’s College. Grens then came out firing and after a good set piece move managed to cross the try line of Queen’s but, eightman Daweti, put in a try saving tackle and managed to dislodge the ball on the stroke of half time.
The second half was characterized by more solid defence from both teams, and saw the game ebb and flow in both teams favours, however early season form and first match jitters resulted in both teams making elementary mistakes and squandering try scoring opportunities. The only score of the second half started in the Queen’s College 22m area which saw Foslag put Mihlali Peter into a large gap. Peter then linked with the rest of the backs, who after some good passing and interplay saw captain, Oranje score. Tshefuta added the extra two points to take the score 19-0.
Both teams will be pleased with certain aspects of their play but also realize there is lots of room for improvement going forward. Queen’s College will take on Pearson this coming weekend at the Graeme College Rugby Day, in Grahamstown.
@rugbyfan: Hey no need to dig up bones out of cupboard there boet you GCB owes were no help there.
@Queenian: You and your buddies Dell and Kennedy were big friends with Dick and Kevin Brown in PE if I remember correctly you were always used as bait for the bar skirmish’s.
@QC86: Agree with you people question why Selborne only beat Hudson by only 20 points and think that’s bad I would dis-agree Hudson are not a bad out fit they definetly not Grens or Port Rex, they way better.
I would say good start for Selborne.
@Queenian: Saw QC playing against Grens I think it will depend a lot on how there forwards do they have a bit of size but did not get much ball. If they get ball there backline is good the year could be quite good if they don’t it will be along year for the Kudu.
Queens are going to find Pearson a different kettle of fish they big fast and well trained it will take a mighty effort by QC to overcome them.
Must say if you look at this age group while they came up through the years I think in Under 14 they won 2 games Under 15 they won 3 games and Under 16 they won 5, you would expect a total shocker of a year but lets see what happens sometimes these under performing teams with a bit of help from last years Under 16 surprise people.
Hope that’s the case as it will be quite a depressing year if QC only win 5 games must admit feel a bit better John Duncan’s back that should help.
@GCollege86: HAHAHAHA! Now why would anyone in their right mind get into a “debate” with a guy nicknamed ‘Rocky’ in the 80s???
Little niave who was QC captian 86 thought it was Andre Marais and Wayne Laskey? How far and I off
?
@Knight_CHS07: Gavin was never much of a Mister….
@Playa: According the records, the CHS 1986 and 1989 teams recorderd victories over all three of our traditional college rivals. The three being; Dale, Queens and Selborne…
Mr Gavin Bishop taught at CHS and left in my matric year. He coached the u15A’s and was very passionate about the sport.
I played against Dick when was playing for PE Police, he was a monster.
@akw: I remeber Dick Brown well. He was at Pearson. I played a few games against him and a few with him after school. Kevin, Dick and Sydney Brown were legents in PE and could clean out a bar on their own. At school he even did the goal kicking for Pearson. Ask the Grey old boys about him. Think it was in 1986 (not sure) when the Pearson vs Grey fixture was cancelled after Dick and his mate “Rocky” who was the Pearson hooker got into a “debate” with some Grey boys leading to a visit to casualties.
In the same era, I also had the privilage to play with Jan Hendrik Kuyler. At that time I think he was the youngest ever Curry Cup captain for SWD. The Kuyler brothers, Theo and Jan Hendrik were and is still legents in George.
I forgot about Paul, he was a great scrumhalf. Even Port Rex and Hudson Park was good in 1986, there were very easy school games on the Border that year.
They klapped everyone that year,unbeaten ,Paul Armstrong the Selbornes wing on Saturday’s dad was their scrumhalf.Grens was also very good that year,games were always hard and a positive result was never taken for granted,it was a fight to the end.If the match offical’s team was behind the game could go on for 2 days,oh the good old days
@akw: Quite impressive. There’s something for our Cambridge bloggers to brag about!
If I recall they beat Selborne. They had a good side with Tyrone Power and Gavin Bishop and the boys.
@akw: Just checked the records. I see Dale lost to Cambridge…TWICE that year
Any idea of how they went against Selborne in the same year?
That Grens team with Greg Crocker, Joe Besenger, Fats and Casper was a good team. That year was the only year up until 1986 that the 2nd XV beat both Queens and Dale.
Grens lost to Cambridge as well, that was a very good side.
Grey Bloem was unbeaten that year, but EP gave them carrots at Cravenweek. Dick Brown played for EP, he could have been a Springbok if he had the commitment.
@QC86:
@Playa: @akw: I’m here just to ashamed to comment,
jee the reffs in those days 
lots of bad reffs,we lost to Cambridge Winterberg and Grey Bloem.sis
@Playa: Not the faintest idea.
@akw: Where’s that 1986 QC 1st XV captain?
Ahhh yes, we miss the glory days of 1986 when Grens beat Queens at the Border Rugby day.
@easyflow: Grens played Duineveld from Upington and not Diamantveld from Kimberley at the Fichardpark day in Bloem. A week later Grey Bloem drew with Diamantveld and the Cherries (2nds) beat Duineveld I think by +- 40.
Is it true that greens had two games this year against strong competitors? Think was the team from Kimberley…anyone know.
Will be tough they have a strong side this year…watch out!