Geez what an incredible finish to this good game. Queen’s scored an awesome try with hardly any time lift to take the lead. Dale struck back with a superb effort of their own to regain the lead by a point. Queen’s then produced some outstanding focused rugby combining good handling with continuity from rucks as part of a patient attack but the Dale defensive structures were up to the task and held out for a memorable win.
Report from Queen’s College:
Old rivals Queen’s College and Dale College met for the last fixture of the season at the C.B. Jennings in King Williams Town. The visitors played with a slight breeze at their backs in the first half. The hosts controlled the opening stages of the game and were relentless on attack. Only resolute defence from Queen’s prevented the hosts from scoring.
The hosts managed to break the dead lock in the 15th minute after Queen’s managed to steal a Dale College line out only to see the ball hacked ahead and for Thabiso Msiza to go crashing over for an unconverted try. Queen’s managed to get some possession and fought hard to stay in the contest. The opening score for Queen’s was from Liso Ntwanambi, who received a great pass from fly half Wilkinson, and then managed to evade three defenders. Justin Kuyler was successful with the conversion.
The hosts hit right back after Queen’s failed to take the kick off and the ball was passed to Godknows Mavara who dived over in the corner for his team’s second try. Queen’s applied a lot of pressure on the hosts for the rest of the half but only resolute defence kept them out. The score remained 10-7 to Dale at the break.
The second half was a closely contested affair with no quarter asked or given by both teams. Queen’s enjoyed territorial dominance and the lion’s share of possession but failed to convert pressure into points. Yaw Penxe managed to score for Queen’s after collecting a loose pass from Dale. The speedy winger managed to beat the cover defence and score under the poles. Albre Wagener was successful with the conversion and Queen’s led 14-10 with five minutes to go. The jubilation that the visitors experienced was however, short lived as Dale hit right back with a try from Siyanda Am. The conversion was wide and Dale led 15-14 with a minute to play. Queen’s threw everything into attack but lost the ball and Dale kicked it out for a close win.
The match was played in great spirit and both teams gave of their best in a game that was a good advert for schoolboy rugby which is symptomatic of the mutual respect between both schools.
A heartbreaking loss after I thought Yaw Penxa had stolen it for us at the end there. A wonderful game nonetheless, showcasing why this game is always one to look forward especially the end of season one. Our boys can be very proud, not the best results, but considering the circumstances. They have done unbelievably well to hold the season intact. A few boys returning next year which should be good. Queen’s will come back better next year
Saturday was some of the best rugby I’ve ever been fortunate to spectate.
First, my beloved Hangklip went down 19-17 to Aliwal in an absolutely massive match. The Hangklip tighthead had a humdinger of a game. Where such a big lad gets such great ball skills is beyond me. Must be from his mother….
Then, Queens go down by one to Dale in another fine display of schoolboy rugby.
Later I poured a stiff 12 year old for the nerves and saluted the fine young men of Queenstown.
@Playa: In 2000, Jaque played fly in a team consisting of 11/15 u/17s. He was a thin, gangly one and only started to pick up a bit of muscles in 2001.
@Ploegskaar: Great to hear the ref getting a good comment. Well done to him on handling what appears to have been a great game.
@Ploegskaar: I agree. He was a bit a shaky at the beginning, and he did well to get himself up and take control.I hope Courtney works on his kicking…or better yet find himself in a team with a reliable kicker in it. That would take some pressure off him and he can play his game.
@Skopgraaf243: Yeah you guys spoilt a good party in ’96. Our first loss since Boland Landbou in June 1995. We were on our way to a 10 match winning streak when Monnas knocked us over in 2000 (20-25) at the Top 20 challenge at Loftus. A tough, tough game of rugby. There was a young Jacques Fourie in the Monnas side, facing a future Protea in Monde Zondeki. The guys still say it was their toughest game that year
History between Monnas and Dale:
1950: Dale won 8-6
1953: Monnas won 5-3
1955: Dale won 13-3
1996: Monnas won 22-16
2000: Monnas won 25-20
2013: Monnas won 39-21
4-2 to Monnas. All games quite close.
I remember playing Dale College at a St Johns festival 96′, whereby we played the saturday fixture, Monument’s very first game in their festival jerseys against Dale. It was quite memorable in the sence of it was Dale’s 17 unbeaten streak only to be put to a stop that day.
Thus a good day for us. Tough game coming out trumps 22 – 16.
I have no idea what our history is like or any other encounter between Monnas and Dale it was just a outstanding game in sence of first game playing with black and white jerseys as appose to the traditonal white jersey.
Great bunch of guys. Rugby bringing guys together again from a far.
I think the ref deserves a special mention for the way he handled the game, clear and consistent at the rucks, which ensured good front foot ball for the attacking team. Enjoy watching Winnaar every time I see him play, Dale 6 certainly has a future and likewise the Queens 2nd center looks a prospect
My blood pressure is still in the process of normalising, but I’m still smiling from ear to ear…I didn’t even feel the hangover yesterday morning. This has to be the most pulsating game I have seen between the two schools in my 20+ years of being involved with Dale. The first one which went Dale’s way. There was the 15-17 loss at the Graveyard amid heavy rain and lightning in 2009 with Queens taking it with a last gasp penalty when Dale was a point infront with no time left – this would have been Dale’s first win since 2004…and further back in ’92 when Dale played all the rugby and Rob Kempson’s QC side held on for a 0-3 win (QC’s first victory since ’88). Those two come a close second.
Long may this rivalry live!
Over and out 2015…we try again next year. Maybe get one over Selborne as well…oh the elusive victory number 100