EP SCHOOLS PREVIEW FOR AUGUST 1
GRAHAMSTOWN schools Graeme College and Kingswood will square off in one of the city’s greatest rugby rivalries when they vie for the region’s bragging rights at Kingswood on Saturday (August 1).
Among the leading trio of Grahamstown schools, St Andrew’s have traditionally produced the best results against their rivals, but their youthful team this year have had to play second fiddle to Graeme and Kingswood.
In reality, there is nothing between the three sides because Graeme edged St Andrew’s with a try in the last minute and Kingswood shaded their arch-rivals by one point. Nonetheless, it does add spice to Saturday’s encounter at Kingswood’s City Lords and it would be no surprise if this match went down to the wire.
There are several other big fixtures on this weekend’s programme and none will be tougher than the clash in Bloemfontein when Grey High attempt to beat Grey College on their home ground for the first time.
Grey High ended a 10-year losing run with a 27-20 triumph in Port Elizabeth last year and with several of those players back in action this year, they will hoping to draw on some positive memories to make what would be a unique achievement of winning two matches in a row against their namesakes.
Grey College have not been at their best this year, losing three matches in a row at one stage, but they are not a side to concede anything other than a fight to the bitter end, and the PE side will have to be prepared for a battle royale.
Nico Malan are set for a cracking derby against Uitenhage rivals Daniel Pienaar in Humansdorp, while two other EP schools will have keen contests against Southern Cape outfits. Framesby are at home to Outeniqua, who perennially supply a host of players to the SWD team, while Brandwag will entertain Oudtshoorn in Uitenhage.
The Brandwag team have put together the remarkable record of having won their last 13 games on their home ground and Oudtshoorn will have a tough time overturning that run of success.
In Grahamstown, St Andrew’s who edged home against Marlow 26-24 last weekend, have another testing fixture when they come up against Dale on the Lower field.
In a match set for Friday, Ithembelihle and Linkside will combine to take on touring England side Campion High at Linkside.
The fixtures are (home teams first, 11.30am start unless stated):
Friday: Ithembelihle-Linkside v Campion High at Linkside (16.00)
Saturday: Andrew Rabie v Otto du Plessis, Brandwag v Oudtshoorn (12.30), Despatch v Muir (12.15), Nico Malan v Daniel Pienaar (12.40), DF Malherbe v Humansdorp (11.00), Framesby v Outeniqua (14.00), Grey College v Grey High (15.00), Gamble v Solomon Mahlangu, VP v Newton Tech, John Walton v McCarthy, Pearson v Union High (13.30), Woodridge v Westering, Kingswood v Graeme (15.45), St Andrew’s v Dale (14.30).
@rugbyfan: 20 plus matric rugby playing boys were excluded from the QC game due to non attendance of school on Thursday,celebrating 40 days [such BS ],but still well done QC
There seems to be a ballsup. Just go straight to GCBs FB page- they have it there
For those like me, who could not see a thing on Saturdays streaming, they have a highlights/try package on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F613tOrtlzZc
@QC86: I agree, the u16A game was also competitive. QC have a very good backline, with commanding flyhalf and a quick scrumhalf.
Those two drop goals by Keith Kroutz were breath taking
@Knight_CHS07: Was fortunate to watch it. The outside centre was also top class. What was the most pleasing was that they lost by almost 40 points in EL. Great comeback
@QC2000: @Knight_CHS07: was so nice to see QC giving Selborne a good run,true derby day,enjoyed every second of the day.Thanks Mr Grant you doing great work.
@QC2000: I agree, QC were lethal on attack there was no telling who was going to win. Poor defending let both teams down and resulted in those “soft tries”.
Did you watch the u13A game? WOW! What talent at such a young age. The QC scrummie and flyhalf were a pleasure to watch. Selborne were competing again a lethal QC backline in that game.
@rugbyfan: Selborne 2nds lost for the second time this season. It was a convincing win for the QC 2nds, they palyed like champions.
@Grey-ville: Grey Bloem u16A unbeaten? No sir, they lost to Selborne in East London earlier this year.
The first team was very good, pity about the missed conversion after our last try might have put some added pressure on Selborne. Some soft tries scored by both teams. QC looked far more dangerous when they had ball in hand running at Selborne
The QC u13a’s also won a great game. its selbornes first loss to any Eastern Cape side since they were under 9. None of the u13’s lost in fact. Bodes well for next year. All the other a team games were won by Selborne, but QC did well to hold them for large parts.
All looks good for QC 1st team next year barring they do not have there injury disaster again.
Queens put up a good fight against Selborne on Saturday who could count themselves lucky on there win.
What was surprising was that all the other QC open teams 2-7 won there games I think this was Selborne’s 2nd’s first loss of the season.
@Grey-ville: No, I could only watch a “live” scoreboard. Those responsible for the streaming has been very apologetic for the poor quality, but they reckon its due to a bad Vodacom signal. Its a start and can only improve.From what I hear, things are looking promising for next year- lets hope.
@BOG – congrats on what seems to have been a successful day for Grey College. Must have been a pleasing 1st XV win considering the injury list. I must be honest and say that the u14A and u16A scorelines suprised me. The u14A side have averaged 40 odd points locally and the u16A side is unbeaten (incl Paul Roos). Certainly seems like Grey College were on a mission – did you watch these games? Congrats on a good set of results. I think only Grey PE u14E won in Bloem. A tricky last fixture for Grey against Selborne in 2 weeks. Evenly match across the board this year but with Grey playing at home for the last time should be the edge.
Thankfully not. GCB 34-22, Seconds ?? (I know that Cherries won) ; 3rds 25-12 ;4ths 51-3 ;U 16 46-8 ; U 15 17-6 ; U 14 60-12. Hope that our PE brothers have a safe journey back
My money on a historic first ever win in Bloem for Grey PE … And a 2nd consecutive win … A Curwin Bosch drop and a win by 2 ;)
I see for those who may be bored with the game in the Paarl, there is live streaming of the “battle of the families”, Grey vs Grey, at 3pm on the following link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ysgt3C-xgYk
Some how i think Selborne vs Queens should be here expect a tough game.
In Cradock it will be Marlow vs Oakdale…