Selborne College recorded a 22-18 victory over Grey High in their Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools match in Port Elizabeth. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
The hosts had won the last three games in this fixture, but the team from East London showed great resolve to end their drought against an equally determined Grey outfit.
Selborne started strongly and opened up a 12-0 lead courtesy of two tries by fullback Michael Botha. Scrumhalf Joshua Allderman, who set up both tries, added one conversion.
Grey, meanwhile, made too many errors on the attack and fell off tackles when defending throughout the first half, adding only a penalty before conceding another converted try to outside centre Songo Xamlashe. Allderman punished them further with a penalty goal to give Selborne a 22-3 advantage at the break.
Grey looked sharper in the second half, as they mounted a fightback. Having worked their way into Selborne territory, tighthead prop Dylan Barendse crossed over from close range to narrow the deficit, before scrumhalf David Masterston bagged a brace.
However, Grey’s three kickers were poor off the tee and missed all the conversions, which proved costly, especially as they managed to keep Selborne scoreless in the second half.
Selborne coach Kevin Taylor was full of praise for his team and in particular for Allderman, who was named Man of the Match.
'I'm very happy about that result. We did extremely well in the first half and were a bit sloppy in the second, but overall I can't fault that performance,' Taylor told SARugbymag.co.za. 'Josh was tactically superb. His service at the breakdown was excellent and he fully deserved his Man of the Match award. I'd also like to congratulate Grey on the good season they had this year.'
Grey coach Tim Fraser rued his team's lack of urgency in the first half.
'We weren't as accurate as we should have been and played catch-up rugby for the entire game. But full credit to my boys for a gutsy display after the interval,' he said.
Grey High – Tries: Dylan Barendse, David Masterson (2). Penalty: Sihle Njezula
Selborne College – Tries: Michael Botha (2), Songa Xamlashe. Conversions: Joshua Allderman (2). Penalty: Allderman.
Grey High – 15 Sihle Njezula, 14 Mohammed Connelly, 13 Keanu Vers (c), 12 Aya Oliphant, 11 Khanyo Mafunda, 10 Lubs Dobela, 9 David Masterson, 8 Liam Blake Taylor, 7 Phelelani Zonke, 6 Jason Haggard, 5 Joe Rooyakkers, 4 Jay Whitehead, 3 Dylan Barendse, 2 Anton Mostert, 1 Tiaan Coetzee.
Subs: 16 Connor Boydd, 17 Aphiwe Febana, 18 Siviwe Masoziwe, 19 Matt Lawson, 20 Tertius Groenewald, 21 Arno Mohikwa, 22 Nikki Ferreira, 23 Stanley Davenport, 24 Nathan Brown.
Selborne College – 15 Michael Botha, 14 Tristian Coetzer, 13 Andile Koyana, 12 Songo Xamlashe, 11 Thakga Boloko, 10 Morgan Steyn, 9 Joshua Allderman, 8 Lutho Selem, 7 Darren Lemmer, 6 Heinrich Nieuwenhuizen, 5 Hein Rust, 4 Daniel Froneman, 3 Daniel Voigt, 2 Grant Venter, 1 Cole van Tonder.
Subs: 16 Connor Deary, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Phumzile Maqondwana, 19 Matthew Aucamp, 20 James Bruce, 21 Joshua Armstrong.
Schools rugby results (15 August)
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
