Paul Roos produced a strong second-half performance to beat Paarl Gim 32-13 in Paarl on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
It was Paul Roos’ first win against Paarl Gim since 2014 and extended their unbeaten run to seven matches this year.
Paarl Gim made an excellent start to the match when hooker Delarey Nel reached over from the back of a strong driving maul.
The boys from Stellenbosch grew into the game as it progressed, with lock Mink Scharink and prop Hanru Jacobs prominent as ball-carriers. But the visitors were guilty of being over elaborate with the ball, as they committed a number of handling errors whenever they got into good positions.
Paul Roos fullback Kade Wolhuter and flyhalf Charl Janson traded penalties, before the fullback kicked over his second.
The visitors were put under the pump just before half-time, but won a crucial turnover 5 metres from their posts to go into the break trailing by four points.
Paul Roos finally managed a breakthrough when they piled players into a 5m driving maul, with flank Jarod Cairns spinning over and Wolhuter converting to give them the lead for the first time in the match.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and won a penalty, which Janson converted to level the scores.
However, the visitors went back ahead when after another 5m lineout, Scharink muscled his way over from close range. Wolhuter crucially converted from the touchline to give them a seven-point lead.
The result was all but sealed when, with five minutes to go, wing Remy Engelbrecht sprinted clear from inside his own half to score.
However, the visitors were not done yet, and after winning a tighthead on the halfway line, spread the ball wide to wing Tiaan Pretorius, who sprinted clear in a similar fashion to his teammate and acrobatically dived over in the corner to seal an emphatic win.
Paarl Gimnasium – Try: Delarey Nel. Conversion: Charl Janson. Penalties: Janson (2).
Paul Roos – Tries: Jarod Cairns, Mink Scharink, Remy Engelbrecht, Tiaan Pretorius. Conversions: Kade Wolhuter (3). Penalties: Wolhuter (2).
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
