Fichardtpark the co-ed from Bloemfontein have claimed this year’s Wesgrow Sentrale Skole 1st XV rugby title after finishing top of the log.
The tournament saw Trio from Kroonstad replacing Noord-Kaap from Kimberley this year and reverting to a round-robin league table competition as opposed to the two-groups with semifinals and a final as per the old format.
The quality of the players on show also saw quite a boost. Big 2m+ lock Jacobus Grobbelaar (Fichardtpark) not only held off the challenges of the two quality Grey College locks, to make the Free State Craven Week team, he went a step further and made SA Schools, and will soon be in SA u18 action in the international series. Amongst his Cheetahs Craven Week teammates were hooker Stefan Venter (Jim Fouche) and his back three schoolmate Devante Claassen (Fichardtpark).
Bethlehem Voortrekker star no.8 Fano Linde played for the Griffons and was named as the Craven Week Forward of the Week. He earned a call up to the SA u18 Sevens that participated and won bronze at the Junior Commonwealth Games in Trinbago (Scotland – gold, Fiji – silver).
| # | WESGROW | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | MP | BP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fichardtpark | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 225 | 146 | 79 | 26 | 11 | 37 |
| 2 | Jim Fouche | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 233 | 212 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 32 |
| 3 | Trio | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 217 | 119 | 98 | 18 | 10 | 28 |
| 4 | Voortrekker (Beth) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 223 | 153 | 70 | 20 | 7 | 27 |
| 5 | Witteberg | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 167 | 186 | -19 | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| 6 | Goudveld | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 129 | 159 | -30 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 7 | Diamantveld | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 164 | 199 | -35 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| 8 | Sentraal | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 95 | 279 | -184 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
@Smallies: Sekondeer
Congrats to both Fichies and JF….First and second respectively. Both schools have done a hell of a lot to strengthen their rugby programs….
No it is a closed league. There is no B-league either.
And the rugby is only part of the Wesgrow. There is an overall ranking as well that includes the girls’ sports.
Noord-Kaap lost their place after last year because they could not field enough teams in the various sport, so perhaps if they can meet the minimum requirement going forward, they could be added back to the league.
I feel for Sentraal…
Is this a relegation league?