Queen’s College moved into pole position for what promises to be an gripping home and away triangular series battle with Dale and Selborne for this year’s unofficial Border crown. Here’s the official Queen’s College match report from their action-packed match against fierce rivals Selborne:
Queen’s College played host to Selborne College as part of its annual reunion week end. The 1st XV rugby match, played in very warm conditions, kicked off at 15:30 on the Recreation Grounds.
The match was billed to be a tight affair and it lived up to the expectations. The large crowd truly got its money’s worth with a highly entertaining game in which both sides gave everything they had to emerge as victors.
Selborne were first to strike when scrumhalf, James Bruce took a quick tap penalty close to the Queen’s line to dive over. David Coetzer was successful with the conversion to give the visitors a 0 – 7 lead after 3 minutes of play. The Queenians needed to strike back immediately and this they did through a penalty from the impressive outside centre, Christopher Hollis.
Queen’s then had an opportunity to score a try after a good run from the left wing, Asi Mrubata, who then put in a chip kick. The bounce of the ball just didn’t go in the favour of the Queen’s fullback who had run an excellent support line. An excellent line break from Hollis two minutes later led to a try from right wing, and captain, Mihlali Peter. Hollis converted the try to take the score to 10 – 7 in the favour of Queen’s after 10 minutes of play. Coetzer added a penalty for Selborne 3 minutes later to take the scores to 10 – 10.
Mihlali Peter, from Queen’s, was sent off shortly afterwards for a suspected tip tackle. Selborne then took advantage of this and was able to dot down for a try in the corner from their captain Sango Xamlashe. Coetzerwas unable to convert the try. This left the score at 10 – 15 in favour of Selborne. Xamlashe was once again on hand with a fine break which led to another try from Selborne. This time fullback, Miles Norton, dotted down in the corner. Coetzer missed the conversion and Selborne then had a ten point lead 10 – 20 after 20 minutes of play. The Queenians were next to register points when vice-captain, Queen’s set a maul from the lineout, which then saw Dale Venske break from the maul and set off on a 10 metre jinking run, which saw him run over a Selborne player on the line and score a brilliant try. Hollis slotted the conversion to narrow the gap to three points, 17 – 20. A clean line break from the robust Queen’s number 8, Cameron Cato, eventually led to another penalty which Hollis converted to level up the scores at 20 – 20. A very good lineout steal from Bryan Bless near Selborne’s line saw Bulela Sotyelelwa, the flyhalf, break the line and dive over for a fine try to take the score to 25 – 20 in Queen’s favour. Hollis missed the conversion. A penalty converted by Coetzer brought the half time score to 25 – 23 in favour of the hosts.
Selborne were the first team to register points in the second half through a penalty from Coetzer which gave Selborne a 1 point lead. 25 – 26. Five minutes later Coetzer again converted a penalty for Selborne to take the lead to four points. 25 – 29.
The Queenians then started playing into the wider channels and were able to make good metres. Hollis crashed over in the corner after a good run by fullback, Aviwe Mancotywa. Hollis did not succeed with the conversion and this then gave the home side a one point lead 30 – 29.
With 5 minutes left in the game Hollis slotted a 40m penalty to give the home side a 33 – 29 lead. Selborne attacked with vengeance in the last few minutes, but the Queenians defended with gusto to secure a famous victory over their arch rivals.
@Wyvern: Hudson will be a tough test for KC. They are a well coached side that seems to know how to win. If KC get caught napping, they may find themselves chasing the game
@Playa: Trust me I know what a “bloody long time” is having not won KDay 17 years in a row before 2011!!!
With regards to the ec competition i agree anyone can win on the day!!! For KC we’ll get tested by Hudson this weekend. I was really impressed with how they played at KES Fest, and to be honest not too impressed by how KC played the whole festival:(
@Knight_CHS07: I have hope we can….22 years is a bloody long time
@Playa: I agree. Reputation means NOTHING if you can’t back it up on the day. No predictable games this year…it’s all on the day, form or no form.
Maybe Dale can break that dry streak at the matress this year?
or is too soon to tell? Anyways, I think the 100th win over the old foe is more important right now 
.
@Ringo: It’s a funny thing indeed. one can’t read too much into form or ‘other’ results. Selborne doesn’t play Kingswood. Dale’s result against Queens in May wont matter when Dale play Kingswood in June, and Queens will not want to underestimate Graeme this weekend just because they lost to Cambridge (no disrespect to my Cambridge mates
)
It’s an open season in the EC this year – anyone can beat anyone on their day as we saw what Dan Pienaar did to Grey. I hope this spells the end of an era with just Grey and Selborne smashing everyone, paving the way for some healthy competition in future.
Must say really impressed by Queens they have clearly illusteated that size is not everything….. Rugga in the EC this year should be interesting especially if you consider the fact tha Queens lost to Kingswood but that does not necessarily translate to Kingswood beating Selborne or does it
@Playa: SBR is a funny old thing so one can never predict what is going to happen day… that being said I hope
Dale gives the Selborne a good working over this weekend
@beet: @Umtata: The fixture will be played on 21 May
@beet: Port Rex played Stirling. The final score was 12-48 to Stirling
@Umtata: Sorry that fixture was cancelled. It needs to come off the list
@Playa: do you know what happened with the DC vs Rex game?
@QC86: I certainly am nervous of a wounded Selborne. I don’t know whats more dangerous…a Selborne with their tails up or one with them between their legs. Good thing I’m not part of the team – I’d probably the confidence killer in the group.
Selborne should be very nervous of Dale this coming weekend.
Too bad I missed this game. For the second year in a row Queens have shown that they are no pushovers at the Rec. Last year’s derby also proved to be a war all round, with some good wins the for QC open sides.
I look forward to watching the SC vs QC derby in EL.
Well done to all the QC boys.
@QC86: I think it’s going to interesting who takes top spot in EC this year. All the top teams have suffered at least one loss.
It was not a game,it was a war.Fantastic derby day,it was our 30th reunion get together so the QC win was great for the old boys.QC forwards were alot fitter than the last time i saw them.QC number 8 had a massive game,so did 9 ,1 and 12,well done guys.