Paul Roos claimed a 17-13 victory over Monument on day three of the St John’s Easter Festival.

Paul Roos almost squandered a comfortable 14-point lead as Monument clawed their way back into the match. Outside centre Kristoff Baard scored a converted try and added a penalty as the Maroon Machine sped to a 10-0 advantage going into the break.

Flyhalf Xander Kruger pulled three points back for Monnas with a penalty goal, but the gap expanded again when outside centre Nico Leopard scampered in for Paul Roos’s second try. Baard made no mistake with the conversion, putting his side in front by 14.

Monument gained momentum in the final quarter and came within four of their opponents’ score after wing Odwa Nkunjana and flank MJ Pelser dived over, but Kruger missed both conversion attempts as they had to settle for second best again, like they did against Boishaai.

Meanwhile, Italian club side Viadana beat St Charles 24-19, hosts St John’s overcame the Lions Invitational XV 24-14, Hilton eased past St Benedict’s 34-20, Nelspruit held on for an exciting 35-33 win over Jeppe, and Paarl Boys’ crushed Garsfontein 32-9 in the final match of the festival.

Day 3 fixtures results:

Viadana 24 St Charles 19
St John’s 24 Lions Invitational XV 14
Paul Roos 17 Monument 13
Hilton 34 St Benedict's 20
Nelspruit 35 Jeppe 33
Paarl Boys’ 32 Garsfontein 9

Day 2 results:

St Benedict’s 24 St Charles 14
Viadana 27 Lions Invitational XV 19
Nelspruit 28 Garsfontein 16
Hilton 27 St John's 5
Paarl Boys’ 25 Monument 20
Paul Roos 14 Jeppe 5

Day 1 results:

Jeppe 27 St Charles 24
Garsfontein 61 Lions Invitational 0
Paul Roos 94 Viadana 0
Hilton 22 Nelspruit 9
Monument 38 St Benedict’s 15
Paarl Boys’ 52 St John’s 0

Photo: St John's College