Selborne scored six tries to hammer Queen’s College 36-17 in a one-sided Eastern Cape derby in East London on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

It was a dominant performance from the hosts, who dotted down five times in the first half as they claimed their third consecutive victory and seventh overall this year.

Selborne opened the scoring when fullback Sibusiso Javu broke the line and fed an inside pass to allow right wing Lawula Bata to race through. They were able to double their lead minutes later when excellent defensive pressure allowed lock Cullen Opperman to intercept and dot down under the posts.

No 8 Raiden Masters was able to break from a scrum and hold off a number of poor tackle attempts for Selborne’s third just after the 20th minute.

While Queen’s managed to get a bit more territory and see more of the ball, they were soon back behind their poles as Selborne centre Mntungwa Mapantsela stepped round his tackler and sent Bata in for his brace. Mapantsela then went over for a try of his own as the scoreline started to get ugly.

Queen’s did manage a response just before half-time as loosehead prop Conley Peterse muscled over from close range.

Despite looking a bit more sloppy in the second half, Selborne were still able to extend their lead as Bata took just five minutes to seal his hat-trick.

Queen’s threatened a comeback as they hit back through a fine counter-attacking try from scrumhalf Aviwe Kanuka, who then set up outside centre Bamanye Mahela for their third try.

Selborne – Try: Lawula Bata (3), Cullen Opperman, Raiden Masters, Mntungwa Mapantsela. Conversion: Warrick Day (3)
Queen’s – Try: Conley Peterse, Aviwe Kanuka, Bamanye Mahela. Conversion: Sihlalo Benge.

Photo: Mntungwa Mapantsela