The two Eastern Cape big cities rivals Grey High of PE and Selborne of East London went head to head on Friday, 09 August it what is always a highlight game on the school rugby calendar. The match was played in difficult weather conditions at Grey’s home ground in Port Elizabeth this year and by halftime the result still hung in the balance.
The sides changed ends with Grey leading 10-0 compliments of a try by under-17 wing Dylan Vermaak and a couple of kicks by flyhalf Garrick Mattheus, who was in sublime form with the boot. Selborne had missed a few chances to get points on the board during this half and they looked like they had it in them to mount a comeback in the second 35-minutes. However in that second half, Grey were on a different level. They scored a point a minute. Yes that’s 35 unanswered points via five converted tries, to complete a 45-0 whitewashing.
The hometown hero on the day was captain CJ Vellerman, who signed off his Philip Field rugby career in the most memorable way possible. The outstanding openside flank once again underlined his abilities as an attacking ball-runner and a turnover specialist defender. Also weighing in with a meaningful contribution was flank Johan van Niekerk while lock Stefan Ebersohn once again had some big carries. The Grey pack did the hard work and when they had to be their backs were clinical as well. Second half tries in order went to CJ Vellerman (who’d been denied a try in the first half); young centre Jeremy Ward; grade 11 player Johan van Niekerk; Grey’s leading try-scorer for the season Luca DallaVecchia and finally fill-in scrumhalf Angus van Niekerk who seemed to grow in confidence as the game went on. Mattheus who will also be returning in 2014, was totally unaffected by the wind and converted all six tries.
Grey PE ends 2013 as the top team in the Eastern Cape winning nine out of nine in games against the other top tier schools of the province. Here are some interesting facts about their season:
1. Grey High were the only school to play all 4 top schools in the country on the BHP Top 50 rankings: 1. Affies, 2. Paarl Gim, 3. Outeniqua and 4. Grey Bloem.
2. Grey High played 22 games this season winning 16 of them, only 5 were at home while 17 were on the road.
3. Grey High’s 1st XV travelled ±9600km in 2013 to play its fixtures. Their average is around about 6000km per annum. They are not do yet either: the team travels to England and Wales in November.
4. 16 Grade-11 boys were capped in 2013 along with 2 Grade-10 boys, so Grey PE does look like it has a bright 2014 season ahead.
| # | EASTERN CAPE | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | MP | BP | Pts | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grey HS | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 316 | 129 | 187 | 36 | 6 | 42 | 4.67 |
| 2 | Marlow | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 159 | 103 | 56 | 20 | 4 | 24 | 4.00 |
| 3 | Queens | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 214 | 175 | 39 | 24 | 5 | 29 | 3.22 |
| 4 | Framesby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 162 | 136 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 15 | 3.00 |
| 5 | Nico Malan | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 174 | 148 | 26 | 14 | 3.5 | 17.5 | 2.92 |
| 6 | Die Brandwag | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 182 | 158 | 24 | 16 | 4 | 20 | 2.86 |
| 7 | St Andrews | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 218 | 191 | 27 | 22 | 3.5 | 25.5 | 2.83 |
| 8 | Selborne | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 164 | 194 | -30 | 22 | 2.5 | 24.5 | 2.72 |
| 9 | Graeme | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 61 | 71 | -10 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 1.75 |
| 10 | Hudson Park | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 105 | 122 | -17 | 6 | 2.5 | 8.5 | 1.70 |
| 11 | Dale | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 159 | 222 | -63 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 1.56 |
| 12 | Daniel Pienaar | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 68 | 177 | -109 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.33 |
| 13 | Kingswood | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 126 | 282 | -156 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.13 |
@Ploegskaar:Terloops, ek hoor nou dat die gashere graag alle spanne gedurende die jaar die geleentheid gee om op die A-veld te speel – daarom speel die O/16s nou op die B-veld!!
Ja reg, die maan is mos van kaas en die tandemuis lewe ook nog!
@BuffelsCM: Dink ek moet maar die res van die seisoen uitsit wat kommentaar oor wedstrydbeamptes betref, maar dit kan ek ook net belowe as ek nie weer daardie nar wat Bellville/de Kuilen en Stellenberg/Boland geblaas het, in aksie sien nie.
Wat jou skrywe oor die Jip-bylae betref, hoop ek net nie julle moet enigsins finansieël bydra daarvoor nie, sou darem ‘n onreg wees om enige kostes vir so ‘n prul te dra….
@Ploegskaar: So van wedstrydbeamptes gepraat; 2 jaar gelede toe ek nog by die Buffels (ons O/19B-span) betrokke was, het ons ‘n skeidsregter gehad met ‘n redelike boep!
Sy “skeidsregterstrui” was een van hierdie ou Investec Stormers rugbytruie – nou moet jy weet hoe lank gelede het hy laas enige kursusse gedoen ens. Hopelik hanteer hy darem nie meer ‘n fluitjie nie ! Na die wedstryd wou hy by die opponent se afrigter hoor wat dan fout was dat hulle nie kon wen nie!! Ek moes maar net lag!
Een van hulle ouers wat ek toevallig ken, vertel toe vir my hoe ‘n goeie skeidsregter hy is want “hy laat die wedstryd so mooi vloei”. Dit is een ding om ‘n game te laat vloei omdat jy goeie voordeel toelaat, maar as jy nie meer kan byhou nie, moet jy maar self besluit dat jy nie meer kan blaas nie! Hopelik is hy nie “afgeskuif” na die O/16A’s nie – ek sien al hoe bars ‘n paar manne ‘n aar of 3 !!
@GCollege86: Thank You ! Great season for them !
@Ploegskaar: Ja Ploeg so tussen die siektes deur ! Ons kon nog nie hierdie week met 2 vol spanne oefen nie, maar geen verskonings van my kant nie!!
Dit is eintlik ‘n skande dat die O/16A’s met interskole die eerste wedstryd op die B-veld speel!! DF wil beslis hulle O/16-span wegsteek!! Hoop nie daar is ‘n twyfelagtige wedstrydbeampte ook nie !! Die waarskynlike slagting glo ek is op die kaarte!!
Nog ‘n interessante punt maar hierdie keer oor die netbal. Vroeër vanjaar het Bellville se B-span ‘n goeie wen teen DF gehad. (Hulle liga’s werk mos anders). So nou speel hulle alreeds 8.00vm!!
Terwyl ek nou mond uitspoel: daar is altyd Maandae in die JIP (bylae oor onder andere skoolsport in Die Burger vir die oningeligtes) advertensies / kennisgewing oor opkomende interskole-kompetisies. Daarin word gewoonlik foto’s van al die eerste spanne van beide teenstanders geplaas. Dit is darem ook vir ‘n ouer trots om hul seun of dogter in die JIP te sien (en natuurlik vir die res van die familie ook te wys – terloops ek het geen kind in ‘n eerste span nie, vir die wat dink dit gaan oor my). DF wat die aanbieders is en dus die foto-blad as gasheerskool moet plaas, het in hul wysheid besluit om slegs aksiefoto’s te wys van meestal hulle sportseuns en -dogters. Geen foto’s van enige O/19A-span op daardie blad nie !!
Ek sê nie alle tradisies is noodwendig goed nie, maar almal sien altyd so uit na daardie keer in die jaar wat hulle darem die koerant sal haal – selfs al kan slegs sy ma hom op die foto herken!!
Is ek sentimenteel of “agter die tye” of is daar dalk ‘n ander verklaring ?
For our English speaking friends: every year during the week of inter schools’ in the Cape, there are always photos of the different first teams of all sports’ codes in the local newspaper. This year our hosts and opponents decided to put only action photos of themselves in the paper – no photos of any first teams !! (I don’t have a child in a first team – so it’s not about me !!).
@BuffelsCM: They only lost the first game against Kwaggas in George. Unbeaten rest of the season.
@BuffelsCM: Jou manne reg vir Saterdag? Sien julle het darem ‘n game op die a-veld gekry! Bellville se bul-span is eenkant (b-veld) en vroeg (8:30) weggesteek, seker maar om ‘n verdagte wedstrydbeampte en/of ‘n waarskynlike slagting te verdoesel
@BOG: Dankie Bog!
@BuffelsCM: Al wat ek weet, is dat hulle hul Grey eweknie met 9-3 gewen het- een vd min Selborne spanne wat op die dag gewen het. En GCB self, was tot toe, onoorwonne.
@Queenian: I read on the Headmasters blog on the GCB site, that they had 450 applications for admission to Gr 8 in 2014, but that they could only accept 230. The boys you mentioned, should either have heard already or should be hearing very soon. The criteria used for selection- and this may surprise you- are: academic achievements, involvement in cultural and sporting activities; and leadership qualities (no other record required
) If I look at this, I have to be honest and ask myself if I would have made it into Grey today? I am just thankful that I dont need to answer that question and that I DID make it.
@GCollege86: I saw Selborne’s under 15 at George during the tournament over Easter. They were quite impressive IMO. I don’t know what the rest of there year was like
@Queenian: u14: Selborne 5 – 26 Grey PE, u15: Selborne 8 – 7 Grey PE, u16: Selborne 36 – 10 Grey PE
St Andrew’s really fell off the bus.
@GCollege86: What happened in the Under15 game.
Grey PE will have a super hot team next year.
@BOG: The boy will I suspect have to get clearance from JJS before he can apply at Queens as the entry requirements at JJS and Grey are the same.
Defo a good season for Grey PE. Well done. You guys beat us and as much as i say we shoulda/coulda have won that game .. we didnt.. and the result is on the score board as history. Well done.
Jeepers your schedule was hectic as well. big kudos to you.
Till next year…:-)
Defo a good season for Grey PE. Well done. You guys beat us and as much as i say we shoulda/coulda have won that game .. we didnt.. and the result is on the score board as history. Well done.
Jeepers your schedule was hectic as well. big kudos to you.
Till next yeat…:-)
@Grasshopper: Also think it would be a great derby. It would be a very long trip though either way. I think Grey have considered a fixture against Paarl Boys High because Grey Junior play their junior school annually. But I would prefer Grey to get a fixture against Glenwood or Maritzburg College. But if thats not possible then certainly in a festival.
@Grasshopper: We really don’t know what to expect next year. The u16’s lost their first three games of the year. They played trial games at the Grey PE u/16 tournament losing against Rondebosch and Daniel Pienaar by 2 points. The next game was against Grey Bloem when they had another complete different team on the field. They ended up going back to the original team from last year and ended the season beating Grey PE 36 – 10 last week. This team also only lost 1 game last year and that was against Grey Bloem. Ten of these boys represented the Border Grant Khomo side this year. It will be interesting to see how many will make the 1st team squad next year. Only time will tell.
@GCollege86: noticed that at Kearsney, virtually no starters returning. Could mean a hungry young team surprising everyone or a very long season of learning. This year cannot go down as a good one for Selborne, some big losses….
@Mike: well done light blues! Would be great if Glenwood could play Grey PE across all teams but the nightmare Transkei trip will probably not allow it. Or maybe meet at a festival. Would love to see Glenwood vs Grey PE!
Well done Grey Boys ! Great ending to a good season over all. A great effort. If only we had pulled off wins against Wynberg and Maritzburg College, then the only losses would have been the top 4. Looking forward to next season.
@BOG:
@Playa: Are you saying that Queens is his second option- after JJS ? He can only go to Queens with the agreement of the magistrate. He would od course also qualify for a scholarship from Correctional Services
@Ludz: Nothing sweeter than killing Kudu confidence.
That said, the Dale 16As have blown hot and cold this season.Hopefully their heads will be in the right place this weekend
@BOG: I hear the young man applied to go to JJ and not Queens.His folks feel he’ll fit in better there, coming from GCB and all
@Queenian: u16A have won 5 of their last 6 games, that must be their best run ever, they beat a strong Hudson u16 side at Hudson. I’m keen to see whether they can upset Dale, they’ve got the momentum and a bit of confidence at the moment
@Queenian: I would be very surprised if he moved. Nothing against Queens, but once you were at Grey, you normally only leave after you have written your last subject and even that, you do with reluctance.In anticipation that those very wise Gr 6/7 s who have applied for admission at Grey, are accepted, please extend to them, a warm welcome. I take note that they have APPLIED and not approached
@Queenian: yeah, just a size with Mr Loest’s side, it’s a bit of a size factor, watched them against Selborne with GCollege86 and QC86, they were very good that and were full value for only their 2nd win against Selborne in their age group
@Ludz: Also will say the Under16A have gone from being really shocking to not to bad so you never know and Under14 did really well just lack a bit of size just hope the Bekker boy from Burgersdorp does get to Queens next year he is one big boy and that Under14 team with him at lock would really go places.
@Ludz: Agree with you on the Under15,s saw them play two games at the begging of the season before the injuries and they were good hopefully a injury free year next year will see them come to the fore they have come on leaps and bounds since only winning 1 game at a Under11 age group.
@GCollege86: atleast they’ll have a strong u16 group to support them
@Queenian: @BuffelsCM: I am a huge Kings fan, I think they’ll be alright, there are pretty good structures down in PE, CJ is in good hands believe me, he’ll be 21 in 2016 when the Kings will probably get a permanent place in Super Rugby. It’s about biding your time, he’s young. Doubt Robbie Kempson will leave the Kings
@Ludz: It will also be tough for Selborne next year. 2 Grade 11’s in first team and 3 in second team.
@Queenian: Our u15A isn’t bad at all, in fact I think that’s a pretty good side, but injuries have absolutely killed the team this season, at 1 point, they were playing with 6 of the 1st choice players out.
@Ludz: Thanks Ludz!! It’s quite strange that he wasn’t signed by a bigger union. He’ll rise to the top IMO wherever he plays.
@Queenian: It must be difficult to retain the better players when they know as you put it:…. ” the Kings is a bit of a dead end road or in other words a road to no where”.
@Playa: Ye they will be tough but also more sweet when they scalp some of the bigger boys.
@Queenian: Some tough years ahead for QC and Dale
@Ludz: I would say contracting to the Kings is a bit of a dead end road or in other words a road to no wear, I hear there is a mass excodus next even at the Kings academy wonder if Rob Kempson will stick around.
@BuffelsCM: CJ Velleman is a King, excellent player
@Playa: But on a bad note I hear there are 4 boys at Queens Junior Grade 6/7 who have applied to Grey Bloem for next year so that’s a bummer.
@Playa: Also other promising development is one boy who is currently playing for Grey Bloem Cherries folks have just moved to Queenstown small chance he might do Grade 12 at Queens hear he is a big boy.
@Playa: Queens at best will be average next year as well I think they have 7 or 8 back I think a lot will depend on whether Fortuin returns I hear there is a good chance so lets see. I think Queens strength next year will be Under15’s specially if the two boys who supposed to becoming to Queens next year in Grade 9 arrive the current Under14 A team with two big forwards would be awesome.
@Woltrui: wollie it would be an honour to have you guys down here,just please bring a bus load of those famous Pretoria blonds and all is good.
@Playa: Actually think Dale and Queens years of having a good team every year or two might be gone hopefully I am wrong.
@Playa: Hope I will be finished in time to watch it on the box my son is playing Graeme this weekend so hopefully I will be home in time.
@Queenian: Current team has 10 Grade 11s, and 2 Grade 10s.The under 16s are average, yes, but can improve.Next year will be better, but not great…not by a long way.Those under 15 and under 14s are dismal at best.So we will need to do some shopping otherwise we are in trouble in the years to come.
Saturday’s game will be televised on Supersport at 2pm.
@QC86: Can’t the Snorretoria okies also volunteer to come help at that tent MR QC86? We promise to be professional 8)
@Playa: Not sure how Dale’s season will be much better next year there 2nd are not great and the Under 16 are average so at best they might just be better than this year, and there Under15 and 14 looked pretty average so a tough few years lie ahead.
Only Selborne to me seem to have a promising 5 years coming up, Queens will battle there Under 16 are pathetic Under15 average and Under14 not to bad so it will be tough for them as well.
Well done Grey. I haven’t seen any of Grey or Selborne playing this year. I was a bit disappointed with Selborne on the day (taking nothing away from Grey though)
C J Vellerman is an excellent player – it was great to see his high work rate.
Does anybody where he’ll be playing his rugby in 2014 ?
@Ludz: @Playa: Please send me updates on Saturday.
So I can see how the Kudu is running all over the Pink Bird
@DC ARMY: Watched that Glenwood team in Pretoria in July my son and them were playing there they went through the tournament there unbeaten even beat Harlequins Under13 A which is a Blue Bulls Academy setup.
And ye before the KZN boys get excited this is Glenwood Prep from George.
@QC86 @Ludz – Thanks guys – good to hear – of course he had a part to play in the teams regional success and must be some small consolation for him.
But is it not amazing how these guys can mend so easily – at my age if that injury had happened to me – sheez – I’d still be feeling sorry for myself and milking all the TLC I could muster –
Great fighting spirit from this young guy – I hope he still goes far!!
@QC86: hahaha, I’ll be sure to come through, help you gents out for a while
@Redblack White: Martin went back to school yesterday
@QC86: Esih! Next time
@DC ARMY: Ahhh dammit!Such a dent to an otherwise perfect season.Cant wait to watch the boys when they’re in Cape Town later this month.
So you played with the likes of Brad van Coller, Chris Eyre, Brendon Phillips, Bongani Conjwa, Chuma Mhlwatika, Siyabulela Lucas to name a few?Are you any of the above by any chance?
But that Selborne age group was a talented bunch.I remember watching them break your hearts at under 14 and under 15 level.Arguably the best side in their age group in those years.Even Grey Bloem couldnt touch them.
@Playa: sorry boet got a bit of a waiting list and of cause we do have standards to up hold
Dale u13 A lost their unbeaten record yesterday to Glenwood
, led 14 – 5 at halftime and they decided to defend the lead in the second a criminal mistake in every sense, final score 15-14. But it was a titanic struggle of note, the physicality of the game was something memorable. I could almost feel the pain of the Dale boys, suffered the same fate against Selborne in 96, we had cleaned all that was thrown of front us, led 19- 0 within the first 5 minutes lost 22-19 and our unbeaten record at home, second last match of the season.
@QC86:
Hahahahahaha!Can I volunteer as a breast examiner?
@Redblack White: spoke to Batty Crawford on Friday at the Grey pe game and he told me that he is still at home, but is doing very well,couple of screws and
plates but no complications. @Ludz: @Playa: please keep a lookout for Davy and i at the Dale field on Saturday ,we will have a tent erected next to the tuck shop,we will be doing free breast examinations as our contribution towards breast cancer day,it is a non profit organization so please bring your girlfriends along.
Great result for Grey High. Anyone know how the youngster Groenewald is doing ?
@star:
It’s amazing that one bad season all of a sudden defines a school’s downward spiral.We had a great season last year, we have a young, inexperienced team, with a new & inexperienced coach…and the results hold testament to that.This happens.This year’s results have nothing to do with the heavy outflow of boys from junior school.The age-group results, however are a direct result of that outflow.So yes, at this rate, Dale are in trouble in future years if we do not sort out the Dale Junior exodus matter.
@Queenian: I think I will, keen to see them in pink again, saw them against Selborne last year
@Playa:
we coming for the tickbird on Saturday
It is sad to see Dale so low. Has this something to do with the fact that Dale Primary school is now seen as a source to build back the fortunes of other schools in far off lands? If your feeder system is eroded you will slowly disappear.
Well done to tha Pansies!Well deserved. Certaintly the most consistent outifit in the EC, and they have tested themselves this year, which is great.Let’s see what 2014 will bring.
Unfamiliar territory there for the Dalians, but the boys must keep their heads up.The ebb and flow is a part of life.You boys will be better next year.
@Queenian: The Pink Strip is to confuse the enemy…the Kudu won’t know whah hit them come Saturday.
EAT KUDU!EAT KUDU!EAT KUDU!EAT KUDU!!!
QC, WAAR IS JULLE LEKKER SPAN?ONS GOOI JUL IN DIE DAM!!!
@Ludz: I see Dale are playing in Pink this weekend maybe they think that will stop the Kudu tackling them.
Will you be in King on Saturday?
Believe Union High should be in the mix they only lost 4 games this year and beat 2 of the above teams. And one of thoses loses was a 2 point loss to Boishaai in Paarl.
Grey PE deserve there place.
@Ludz: Marlow pulling out of there game against Queens this year is a disgrace.
1 more tough fixture for the Queenians against Dale, been a great season for my boys, unbeaten at the Rec for the 2nd season in a row. Beating College at Goldstones at their 150th was a highlight, also wins over Selborne, St Andrew’s and Dale on the Rec were fantastic. Pity we couldn’t play Marlow on the Rec.
As for Grey PE, well done on a great season, been a fantastic effort from their side, they had 1 helluva a captain in CJ Velleman. Not many teams go to Lower and beat St Andrew’s 39-14, thoroughly deserve their EC no.1 ranking
@kattel: it was not an attack on Grey, just a question. Congrats on a great season, 16 from 22 is a great season! Hopefully Grey can play Glenwood in the near future…
@Grasshopper: Yes they lose against MC and won Westville (Kzn).They lost against Paarl Gim and Wynberg but change the scoreboard against PR,B Landbou and SACS (WP schools) Well done Grey unbeaten at the Philips field looking forward to a great 2014.
Good luck Martin Groenewald with your recovery.
Well done CJ with your leadership and good luck with a bright rugby future it was a privilige watching you playing.
Didn’t they lose the Maritzburg College the KZN no 4?
Sad to see my team HTS Daniel Pienaar down in 12th place losing all 6 games a bad turnaround
from last years 8 wins out of 8. Only good win for DP this year was the win over Oakdale and i think it was the first win for DP in many years over them. As in my time at the school our 1st XV never won against them.either a close game or a big hiding. Dale also not looking good. St Andrews fell out of the bus during the season,at one stage i thought this could be the year for them. Well done Grey on a very good season .