Grey College beats Welkom Gim 52-5

04 March 2024

After a lacklustre start to the match between Grey College and Welkom Gim, the first scoreboard event occurred in the 13th minute when Grey hooker Liam van Wyk intercepted the flat pass inside the Gim 22 and crossed to score a try, taking an early lead of 7-0.

Gim, however, demonstrated their strength with an impressive carry by their tighthead prop, leading to a stable scrum and a well-executed set move. Despite a missed kick at goal following a high tackle penalty, Gim fought back with a rolling maul try vai their hooker Kganyo Molapo, closing the gap to 7-5.

Grey were erratic at best during the first quarter but showcased their resilience, working the ball skillfully to winger Pretorius Ekeji, who powered through tackles to extend the lead to 14-5. The home team really took control of proceedings from that point onwards, as Gim struggled to find continuity and often kicked precious frontfoot ball away.

A successful penalty and a line-out in the red zone set the stage for big Grey lock Heinrich Theron’s take and van Wyk’s easy second try score, with an excellent conversion by flyhalf Alzeadon Felix making it 21-5 at halftime.

Discipline became a challenge for Gim in the second half, as an early penalty allowed Grey to find touch and execute a beautiful line-out play, resulting in the Danie Gerber-like centre Pieter van der Merwe breaking tackles and scoring.

Very quickly after the restart, Ekeji and van Wyk combined forces again. Ekeji made the most of a lovely cut-out pass to gain ground down the right. Van Wyk was on hand to ensure the continuity of play and swiftly back to his feet to be at the right place at the right time to collect and drive over. 33-5 and the eye-catching hooker had completed his hat trick.

With the game predominantly in Gim’s half, Grey capitalised on a scrum penalty, and the scrumhalf Philip McLaren’s quick tap led to another try, bringing the score to 40-5. Grey’s mobile loosehead Dian Venter produced a memorable angled carry at pace, backed up fast recycling and by precise passing, set up another try for Ruben Cilliers who had come off the bench, making it 47-5.

In the closing moments, a broken play following Gim’s exit was seized by Grey, and flank Xander Smit, finding space on the right and with assistance of his hand-off, held off a tackler and scored near the right corner, concluding the scoring at 52-5.

Grey’s strategic play, effective set pieces, and individual brilliance secured a convincing victory.

02 March 2024
Grey College and Welkom Gim are ready to go head-to-head in an early season highlight match. Both 1st XVs are coming off opening weekend of the season wins at the President Steyn Festival. Grey had a comprehensive second half to beat a resilient Trio 40-3. Welkom Gim were made to sweat by Jim Fouche and only put a margin between themselves and their Kovsie Liga rivals in the last few minutes to record a 31-13 victory.

Elsewhere the Grey Cherries (2nd XV) will line up against Rustenburg at the Trio Festival in Kroonstad.

TEAM	GREY COLLEGE		TEAM	WELKOM GIM
1	Dian Venter	u18	1	Buchle Ngxabayi	u18
2	Liam van Wyk	u18	2	Kganya Molapo	u18
3	Danie Kruger	u18	3	Alexander Olivier	u18
4	Heinrich Theron	u18	4	Diekie Beuken	u18
5	AJ Meyer	u17	5	Jayden Auld	u18
6	Xander Smit	u17	6	Revaun Van Niekerk	u18
7	Juliun Cosmo	u18	7	Rylan Kirsten	u18
8	David du Toit	u18	8	Ethan Jones	u19
9	Philip McLaren	u18	9	Revaldo Farmer	u18
10	Alzeadon Felix	u18	10	Renaldo Kiewiet	u19
11	Siyabonga Kenny	u17	11	Bokang Lesenyeho	u18
12	Pieter vd Merwe	u18	12	Jayden Weideman	u18
13	Darius Erwee	u17	13	Joshua Coertzen	u18
14	Pretorius Ekeji	u18	14	Terence Tsholo	u18
15	Thristan Maree	u17	15	Dylan Kemp	u18
16	Emile McGeer	u18	16
18	David Hayidakis	u17	18
20	Marcel Coetzee	u18	20
21	Bernard Wessels	u17	21
23	Ruben Cilliers	u18	23
Coach	JANNIE GELDENHUYS		Coach	ROEAN BEZUIDENHOUT
TEAM	RUSTENBURG		TEAM	GREY COLLEGE CHERRIES
1	Carel Schoonraad		1	Henco Diederichs
2	Xavier Steenkamp		2	JT Laney
3	Xander Benedetti		3	Marinus Oosthuizen
4	Pedrie Human		4	Renier Grobler
5	Erich Potgieter		5	Claude Steyn
6	Wikus Jacobs		6	Tian Fourie
7	Coenraad Coetzer		7	Adem Nieuwoudt
8	MC Smit		8	AJ Booysen
9	Adriano George		9	Gerhard Scholtz
10	Jaden Meyer		10	Toriq Schambreel
11	Zulu Khumalo		11	Theko Montjane
12	Awie Alberts		12	Riaan Benade
13	Lorenzo Snyers		13	Jean Rossouw
14	Christiaan vd Bergh		14	Benjamin vd Berg
15	Tiano Combrink		15	Heinz Stockenstrom
16	Colin Cooper		16
17	Ewan Gerber		17
18	Kiaan v Deventer		18	Abrie Esterhuizen
19	Dirk Huisamen		19	Stephan Jacobs
20	Hendre Robinson		20	Daniel Grobler
21	Jefthas Jonre		21
22	Henco Raath		22	Donelle Hendriks
23			23	Rosisang Masoeu
Coach	NAAS OLIVIER		Coach	JANNIE GELDENHUYS