By Tang:
On Saturday PBHS traveled to Randburg for the annual winter sports fixture against St Stithians. Both sides have had terrible seasons and both were coming into the fixture on the back of demoralizing defeats. PBHS are a dispirited bunch at the moment and as history will show, they have suffered a few embarrassing losses on the Baytop field. Although Saints don’t have a great record this season, you would have to put them down as favourites on their home field.
The Baytop field is an iconic ground, being the birthplace of festival rugby in South Africa, and a wonderful place to watch school boy rugby.
The Boys High starting lineup had some injury enforced changes and once again, the back line had a new look from the previous week. Boys High have not been able to select the same starting back line for four weeks in a row.
The first half was a stop start affair with both sides showing the expectations on their young shoulders. As mistake followed mistake, the young Lions ref was more than happy to blow his whistle and make sure he stamped his mark on the game.
Boys High opened the scoring with a penalty which was soon cancelled out by a mid-range Saints penalty. It seemed neither side was willing to be audacious and grab the fixture by the throat. The Saints coaches, literally standing on the field, were imploring their young charges to run at the pedestrian Boys High team. As we have seen week after week, Boys High show no lack of commitment but show a serious lack of self-belief. As the half progressed, Boys High began to create a few chances. The new look back line began to show glimpses of attacking intent only to have their efforts halted by self-inflicted mistakes. Saints were willing to suck up the pressure and then counter. Saints were struggling with first phase possession and lineouts were especially problematic.
After a series of penalties, Boys High drove over from a lineout and scored in the far corner. The conversion was missed. Saints came storming back and answered with an unconverted try.
As the first half whistle blew, it seemed the sides were going to be locked in a tight struggle to the end.
As the second half began, it was clear that Boys High were going to be more attacking. Two great counter attacks, started by the Boys High Fly Half, were narrowly brought to an end with Saints dotting down in their in- goal area.
Saints also seemed to have more intent and their number 12 and 15 showed they were willing to take any gap when given an opportunity.
After Boys High had scrambled and defended well near their own goal line, they were awarded a pressure relieving penalty.
Boys High won the lineout and almost magically some self-belief was injected into the team. Boys High attacked, made no mistakes and most importantly kept possession. A well worked move from right to left resulted in the right wing scoring in the far corner for a converted try.
From this point on, Boys High began to attack whenever they had possession. The attacks were less one-dimensional and were not solely reliant on one-off runners trying to barge through and gain a few yards.
Saints were placed under constant pressure and although they defended well, the pressure told and Boys High scored three more good team tries.
Saints hit back with a well worked effort but it was too little too late.
The difference between the Boys High team in the first half and second half was outlandish. In the second half and for the first time this season, Boys High produced some good attacking rugby. They retained possession, ran into spaces, made clever off loads and ran with serious intent.
If Boys High can replicate the second half performance and keep it up for 60 minutes, they may just be able to pull off a few more victories this season.
The first team players at Boys High must feel like divers at 40 meters below the surface. If they can ignore the pressure and play with anywhere close to the same level of self-assuredness, they will surprise a few and win some tough games. In too many games this season Boys High have been diffident and have played with an expectation they will lose. In the tough games, some of the leaders have not stood up and made a difference. Hopefully the performance against Saints will change all of this and make them believe they are the equal of any team they play.
@Candies – If we assume that it is an inevitable next step (to recruit), then why not do it sooner rather than later.
I think Ryno helped Garsfontein with some good recruits and look what happened to their results.
My biggest fear for the A team players is that we are developing a losing culture. If we are only winning 15% of A team matches, how can we expect the Boys to go from losing almost every age group fixture to begin winning when they are opens. The u16 A group have notched up two of those wins and both at home.
As you correctly mention in your post, many of the teams we played have players on bursaries many of whom played u13 Craven Week.
I would guess we are getting one or two u13 Craven Week players per year. I wonder how many boys decide not to come to Boys High because they get a bursary elsewhere?
@Tang: I agree, it is worrying, but how many bursary holders form part of the A teams of the schools mentioned? Maybe a good time for PBHS to change their recruitment policy? As you said: “Unfortunately, the A team results are the ones that get published and that people use to judge overall results.”
@Candies – I think the management at Boys High have to be worried about the A team results.
If you take the five major fixtures this season – KES, Martizburg College, Jeppe, Westville and Saints – Boys High have only won 3 A team fixtures (First team to u14 A). This gives us a 15% win ratio at A Team level. Unfortunately, the A team results are the ones that get published and that people use to judge overall results.
Spot on Tang, lets hope PBHS can turn their season around!