Bishops broke their five-match losing streak to Rondebosch with a 25-20 victory in Rondebosch on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

A brace from centre Victor Allan, along with two penalties by flyhalf Jordan Meyer, was enough to help the visitors to a memorable victory over their close neighbours ― their first since 2015.

The home side started well, with centre Ross Stone slotting a penalty. However, Bishops won a turnover straight from the kickoff and after a number of pick-and-goes from the forwards, Allan crashed over.

A hard-fought period followed before fullback Bingo Ivanisevic was fortunate to only receive a yellow card after a dangerous cleanout at a Rondebosch ruck.

Rondebosch took advantage, with wing Jono de Oliveira finding space out wide to run in an easy try, but Meyer ensured that the yellow card did not do too much damage on the scoreboard by kicking a penalty to level the scores.

In the final minute of the first half, big No 8 Johan Strauss muscled his way over the line to give Rondebosch a 15-10 half-time lead.

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The visitors came out firing in the second half, working their way close to the tryline through their forwards, before Allan pulled off a dummy to exploit a gap and cross for his second. Meyer’s conversion gave Bishops the lead.

Ivanisevic then went from villain to hero as he extended Bishops’ lead to seven points with a try off the back of a strong scrum.

The see-saw battle continued as Rondebosch centre Jordan Collier handed off a tackler to score, before Meyer kicked his second penalty to again put Bishops further ahead.

Rondebosch continued to pile on the pressure and there was late drama as Bishops flank Ano Mtombeni was sent to the bin for a high tackle, before wing Dalvon Blood had a try correctly ruled out in the corner as he was in touch.

Bishops managed to turn the ball over on the halfway line and hoof it into touch to secure a hard-fought win.

Rondebosch – Tries: Jono de Oliveira, Johan Strauss, Jordan Collier. Conversion: Ross Stone. Penalty: Stone.
Bishops – Try: Victor Allan (2), Bingo Ivanisevic. Conversion: Jordan Meyer (2). Penalties: Meyer (2).

Schools results (9 June)

Photo: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images