Helpmekaar beat St Alban’s 33-19 at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival on Saturday. Other wins were scored by Graeme College, the Golden Lions XV and the NSW Combined Schools side. THEO GARRUN reports.
The day was disrupted by lightning. The game between St John’s and HTS Daniel Pienaar was called off at half-time with the hosts 19-0 ahead, and the final match of the day, between Paarl Boys’ High and Windhoek Gim, was delayed for two hours and completed under lights.
Helpmekaar, following their impressive win over Stellenberg on day one, turned it on in style against St Alban’s on Saturday, and the sides produced the most entertaining game of the day.
The score was 26-14 to Helpmekaar at the break and St Alban’s stayed in the game for a long time before two quick tries saw Helpmekaar go 38-14 ahead. St Alban’s had the final say with a consolation try in the final minute.
Paarl Boys’ High were way too strong for Windhoek Gim. They scored 10 tries, crushing them 66-0.
Earlier in the day, the Golden Lions XV sprang somewhat of a surprise by beating St David’s 19-12, while Graeme College got their first win, 19-10, over St Charles. Stellenberg finished on the right side of an arm-wrestle with Nelspruit, winning 13-5.
The hosts were 19-0 up against Daniel Pienaar when they were called off the field, and although that will go down as a no-result, they were well on their way to their second victory, having beaten Noordheuwel on day one. They are up against the Australian visitors on Monday, and a win there could see them unbeaten at their own festival – a feat that has not been achieved too often before.
WRAP: Selborne-Glenwood match abandoned
In Monday’s action, Helpmekaar should have too much power for Windhoek Gim, who lost heavily to Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday – so they can expect to go home from this festival with three wins out of three. Paarl Boys’ High face Nelspruit on Monday in what will be another interesting contest.
Day 2 results:
St David’s 12 Golden Lions XV 19
St Charles 10 Graeme 19
Noordheuwel 19 NSW Combined Schools 38
St Alban’s 19 Helpmekaar 33
Stellenberg 13 Nelspruit
St John’s vs Daniel Pienaar (cancelled due to lightning)
Paarl Boys’ 66 Windhoek Gim 0
