Queen’s College hosted Kingswood College, from Grahamstown, at The Recreation Ground. The match was played in overcast and windy conditions but this did not hamper the flow of the game as both teams attacked relentlessly for the entire match. The game produced eleven tries which had the crowd on the edge of their seats till the final whistle.
After some good phase play from the start the hosts put the visitors under pressure in the opening minutes but failed to capitalize on this, and a turnover saw Kingswood clear their lines and set up their opportunity to attack. The visitors were the first two score after a loose ball on the ground was won by their flank, and was moved quickly to their captain, Josh Shelly, who went crashing over for the first try of the match. Garrick Mattheus was successful with the conversion and the visitors led 7-0.
The hosts replied almost immediately after some patient phase play which saw Yaw Penxe offload to Mihlali Peter who found his captain, Raegan Oranje, on hand to finish off a well worked unconverted try. From the kickoff Queen’s were caught offside after a knock on and Mattheus was successful with the penalty attempt to take the score to 10-5 in the visitors favour. The next points of the game were scored by Oranje, after a well worked move saw the scrumhalf score from 40 m out. Albre Wagener was successful with the conversion and Queen’s were in front for the first time in the game. Kingswood was then awarded a penalty and regained the lead after Mattheus was successful with the kick. Queen’s were then able to put some meaningful phases together and after some good interplay between the forwards and the backs hooker, Gareth Heidtmann, went crashing over for the hosts third try. The unconverted try gave Queen’s a 17-13 lead. Queen’s seemed to be settling into their playing pattern and prop, Lukhona Masoka, scored the fourth try which was converted by Wagener for a 24- 13 lead. Kingswood never say die attitude resulted in the visitors scoring next after speedy fullback Athi Halom, intercepted a poor offload and ran 50m up the field before finding his winger James Russell, who scored and unconverted try. Kingswood on the stroke of halftime scored a converted try from their fullback, Halom; just before the break to take a 25-24 lead.
The second half of the game lived up to the excitement of the first half as both teams threw everything into attack. The hosts were the first to open the scoring after Yaw Penxe chipped a ball ahead, which was regathered by wing Frank van Heerden, who passed to centre Bulela Sotyelwa who dived over in the corner for an unconverted try. Mattheus managed to reduce the deficit after a well struck penalty. Queen’s were next to score after some patient attack and some great work by Justin Kuyler and Johan van Heerden found Mihlali Peter in space. Wagener added the extra two points for a 36-28 lead. True to form it was the visitors who were next to add to their tally after some good play from their backs and forwards saw the Kingswood scrumhalf, Mark Webber, dive over for a converted try and set up an exciting last 8 minutes with the game in the balance at 36-35.
The final stanzas of the game saw sweeping movements from both teams with end to end play as both teams threw everything into attack and defence. The deadlock was finally broken after a misdirected kick was fielded by fullback Penxe who managed to beat two defenders in a great individual effort to score. Wagener was successful with the conversion which sealed the win for Queen’s 43-35.
The game was played in a fantastic spirit and was one of the most exciting matches enjoyed by the crowd at Recreation Ground in recent times. The crowd enjoyed the running rugby and feast of tries, however while both teams will be happy with their attack their defence at times would be an area of concern . Queen’s will now take on Graeme College in Grahamstown this weekend.
@BoishaaiPa: Remember the kids come to Kingswood to be refined.
Oh and remember we are a PVT School so we don’t need sponsors…….hahahahaha.
@BoishaaiPa: Hahahaha!
I remember between the years 1998 to 2000, KC had about 3 Old Dalians who were doing post matric in their side each year…we called them the University of Dale College.
Yes , he was at Grey last year.
@kcman: Did Mattheus not play for Grey PE last year?..You guys also getting a sponsor like Kynoch to keep all the u/19’s in the team in booze and ciggies?..
Yes he never played on Saturday.
@kcman: Is JP Barkhuizen injured?
@Queenian: Ye agree injuries have robbed QC from having a decent year.
QC will have to pull out all the stops to beat Graeme this weekend.
Kingswood vs SAC will be a humdinger this year.
@Wyvern: @kcman: Sorry I got that wrong it was 8 grade 11 boys that started I apoligise for that.
And don’t get me wrong I think Kingswood is doing a great job and really did well. Hats off to them.
@Queenian: Thank you for clarifying that.
My son is one of the BY’s and we started with 4 on Saturday. 11, 13, 10 and 8.
@Playa: These injuries are becoming a real concern and I think Graeme have a really good chance this next weekend.
I would suspect QC will rest all the injured players to try and get them back for the Grey PE game which will be a push at best.
These things happen and QC will just have to adjust around them although its a pity really think the 3 boys they were out against Selborne made a big difference.
@kcman: @Playa: There were a total of 5 Post matric boys and not 8 and I think the most there were on the field at once was 4.
QC have no problem with Kingswood playing these boys and agreed when this fixture was started up again that Kingswood could use them in the games against QC.
So no issues
@rugbyfan: @Wyvern: I wasn’t aware of the number of PMs. 5 would probably be more accurate as I know there are 8 grade 11s in it.
Those injuries are robbing QC of a great season. They have held up well despite them though.
@rugbyfan: There were never more than 4 Bridging Year boys on the field and 8 of the others were Grade 11. We ended the game with 3 BY’s on the field and 10 Grade 11’s.
It was a great game of rugby and maybe one day you will be allowed to give Kingswood some credit. Look forward to hosting Queens on City Lords next year and maybe reversing the result. Surely this must go down as one of the most exciting games of the season thus far.
Well done to both sides, especially the spirit in which the game was played. Rugby was the true winner.
@rugbyfan: I don’t think that number is correct. It was 5 the last i counted…
@Playa: Two of these forwards have been out since the KES game and QC pack looks half the size of the one that started the season.
@Playa: I think QC biggest concern now is they have 4 injuries mainly in the forwards and if they don’t get these players back for the Grey PE game in 2 weeks they could be in for a long day in PE.
Kingswood played with 8 post matric,s so not to many grade 11 played against QC, I think QC had 11 or 12 Grade 11 playing so they were the young team on the day.
@Wyvern: Epic indeed!
That KC team is a dangerous outfit. I am glad we’re playing them at home this year. City Lords has been a tricky place for us to visit in recent years.
Being full of a number of grade 11s, they could get a few ‘surprise’ scalps next year.
Sounds like it was an epic!