Queen’s beats Welkom Gim 43-23 – match report

From Queen’s College
Queen’s College hosted Welkom Gimnasium at The Recreation Ground, on Friday the 24th of April, for the first time in the two schools’ history. The game was played in perfect conditions.

The hosts started off the match well and applied early pressure resulting in a penalty for Queen’s which was slotted by Mvuyo Tshefuta for a 3-0 lead. Almost immediately after a mistake at the kick off, Welkom bounced back to score a seven pointer after some poor defence.

The first try for Queen’s was scored by centre, Juan Du Randt, after receiving a great inside pass from wing, Frank van Heerden, which saw the burly young man score from 40m out. The extra two points were added by Tshefuta for a 10-7 lead. The visitors were next to score after Queen’s conceded a ruck penalty and the Welkom flyhalf tied the game up at 10 all. The second try for the hosts was scored by Raegan Oranje, after some good work at the breakdown saw the captain dive over for an unconverted try. The visitors would have the last say of the half and added a penalty to their tally. Queen’s enjoyed a slender 15-13 lead at the break.

The first points came in the second half after Johan van Heerden charged down the Welkom flyhalf and managed to collect the loose ball and score for Queen’s. Tshefuta was successful with the extra two points. The nuggety visitors were the next to strike back after their flyhalf managed to slot a drop goal and reduce to the deficit to 22-16 in Queen’s College’s favour. The next score of the match was from Queen’s College lock, Luyolo Dapula, who reacted quickly to a quick tap and saw the lock burst through numerous would be tacklers. Tshefuta was on hand to add the extra two points. The visitors were quick to respond after a sniping break the Welkom scrumhalf who went crashing over for a seven pointer. This made the game a six point affair; however the Queenians upped their intensity and managed to score two quick tries. The first try was scored by Bulela Sotyelwa, after receiving a great inside ball from fullback Yaw Penxe, who had had done a lot of hard work in the build up evading defenders. Tshefuta added the extra two points. The second try was scored by captain, Oranje, after a loose bouncing ball was hacked ahead by Dapula. Wagener was on hand to add the extra points. Queen’s won the game 43-23.

The game was played in good spirit between the two schools, and whilst both teams will be happy with certain aspects of their play there were many areas in which they will feel, can be improved upon. Queen’s take on Border rivals, Selborne, in East London on Friday.