Queen’s College took on hosts, Graeme College, in Grahamstown this past weekend. The match was played in near perfect conditions, which was conducive for running rugby. Queen’s won the toss and played with the gentle breeze at their backs.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of the early possession and territory and kept the hosts under pressure in their own half for the opening stanzas. The first points of the match came after a kickable penalty was turned down and the Queen’s lineout backed themselves.That resulted in Johan van Heerden scoring an unconverted try. The rest of the first half was characterized by solid defence from both sides. Both teams handling at times let them down and allowed the opposition to relieve the pressure.
The second try of what was a low scoring half came after the Queen’s forwards set up a great attacking platform and flyhalf Bulela Sotyelwa dived over under the posts for the visitor’s second try. The conversion was wide and Queen’s enjoyed a narrow 10-0 lead at the break.
The hosts, who staged a second half come back the week before, started off the half well and did all the early playing but once again handling errors resulted in the pressure being released and Queen’s capitalizing on the Graeme errors. The third try for the men from Queenstown was scored by Aviwe Mancotywa after a great set piece move saw the centre score from his own ten metre line. Johan van Heerden added the extra two points for a 17-0 lead.
Graeme then dug deep and enjoyed a period of sustained attack in the Queen’s half. The hosts with some enterprising play were able to create opportunities but were unable to breach the resolute Queen’s defence. A poor kick ahead from the hosts saw Queen’s fullback, Yaw Penxa, collect the ball on the 10m line and mange to evade the cross cover to score the fourth try for the visitors, which was converted by Van Heerden. Queen’s then enjoyed a period of dominance and managed to charge down a clearance kick. Frank Van Heerden regathered the ball after a foot race and played Aviwe Mancotywa who found his captain, Raegan Oranje, in space to score the fifth Queen’s try. Albre Wagener added the extra two points for a 31-0 lead.
Graeme college never a team to lie down fought back and managed to enjoy a period of attack in the visitors 22m area. The hosts once again created opportunities but were unable to capitalize on the pressure they exerted. The best attacking opportunity for the hosts came to naught after a player lost the ball over the tryline.
The final points of the game came from some good interplay between the forwards and backs which saw Penxa make a line break only too chip the ball infield to Frank van Heerden who scored the sixth and final try for the visitors. The conversion was wide and Queen’s won the match 36-0.
Queen’s College will now shift their focus as they take on Grey High School in Port Elizabeth this coming weekend.
@Andre: True. There is that as well. I really feel for those boys
@Playa: Yes, as well as demoralising new players. Some of them felt yesterday’s trials were an exercise of futility.
Of course, maybe it’s just a few guys trying to “psych out” some of the new candidates, and I’m completely misinformed.
@Andre: That is rather peculiar. I remember the days when a boy could make craven week this year, but only manage to be good enough for academy week the following year.Then again those were the days when under 16s and under 19s could play in CW & AW.These guarantees are just going to create an ego problem in the set up.
Before the trials some players claimed that they were already informed of their inclusion in the team.
@Queenian: Hahahaha that would be dof!
@Playa: Maybe they are excluded due to them having there chance maybe Border new rule is you can only play for them once.
@GCollege86: I’m relieved to hear that.
Why would they exclude last year’s reps? Do they automatically make the team?
@Playa: QC was well represented at the Border u16s final trials yeaterday. The u18 trials first rounds took place today and excluded all 2014 CW and Academy players. By the looks of it they still part of Border.
@Andre: There was talk of them joining EPCD last year.Not sure how far that went.
What’s happening with Border rugby that the Queenstown kids are so poorly represented this year. Rumour has it that the team has been chosen and the trials are just a formality?
@Andre: Ye I know what you mean it is always difficult. I myself get carried away sometimes.
Ref’s have a hard time must admit but agree school kids as linesman can be an issue.
Ja, schoolboy rugby referees and linesman, one could write a book…….
Although I felt sorry for a ref last week when the other King William’s Town school’s coach and teacher where running on the field during the game and harassing the poor oke.
@rugbyfan: Don’t remind me never seen such a bad reffing game as that.
@rugbyfan:
Actually that was the same day and game were I own blogger here Queenian was ask to remove himself after some tough words to the ref.
And as much as I love watching schoolboy rugby and the Graeme rugby day I must say I have seen this before there last year was there watching Graeme Under 13A vs Muir were the reffing boarded on been dishonest although if I remember Muir still won or the game was a draw.
Good game never expected QC to win by so much.
There was some shocking reffing in the Under 16A game were I think QC seemed to be playing against 16 men and the ref and the Graeme boy who was linesman who actually after a QC try then put his flag up after been shouted at by some Graeme parents. The QC boy was at least a foot inside the line. The ref also then penalized the QC boy for querying it.
Really poor show school kids should not be allowed to be linesman in important games.
So China kicked 2/4? Little bit of nerves, maybe?