After a win at St John’s DSG, Voortrekker were full of smiles and celebrations.
Saturday was a satisfying day for Eunice and Voortrekker (Bethlehem), who both recorded victories away from home. Eunice was clinical in a 10-1 demolition of Clarendon, while Voortrekker (Bethlehem) showed their class as they chalked up a 3-1 victory over StJohn’s DSG.
Kirsten Beneke’s team entered their match against St John’s on the back of a hard-fought 0-2 loss to St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) on Friday. In that encounter, the hosts caught them flatfooted and raced into a lead which they were able to maintain despite Voortrekker settling down and finding their groove as the match progressed.
“I think these tough games are worth it. The girls learn from the exposure and the skills they teach,” Beneke shared after the match.
Instead of being dispirited by that defeat, her side showed why they are still unbeaten in the Wesgrow League, where their record reads four wins from four matches. They are a resilient bunch and have bouncebackability.
They were in high spirits for their match against St John’s in Pietermaritzburg and determined to improve on the result of their previous meeting early in the season, when the teams drew 1-1 at the Balling Tournament.
This time, the Carli Oosthuizen-captained side connected well and retained possession for long periods and two of those spells resulted in field goals. “They were amazing team goals, which we love to see. We pressed St John’s very well and thus had control of the game,” Beneke said.
Oosthuizen, who was selected for the Free State u21 team, celebrated that honour with a goal. Jani Faber and Hermien van Biljon were also on target as Voortrekker swept to a deserved victory.
While Beneke is happy with the way her team has acquitted itself on the Astro, she is even more impressed with the culture that the unit has developed. “This BVHS team has a really strong sister-bond and that never-say-die attitude, which really pushed them today,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Eunice ensured their 735km trip to East London was worth every kilometre as they romped to an emphatic 10-1 victory over Clarendon. Coach Nika Coertzen‘s charges are running rampant in front of goal. Last week, they crushed Fichardt Park 7-0.
Prolific goal scorer, Bianca Rees-Gibbs, fired four more past the Clarendon goal-minder, while Eunice’s captain, Trusten Barnard, scored twice and Storm Harris, Megan Joubert, Georgia Kambanis, and Anebel Venter added one each.
“I was very proud of our passing game. Again, a massive team effort all-round. And we took our opportunities being fearless in the circle,” Coertzen reckoned.
The Eunice coach, while satisfied by the progress her young team has made this season, refuses to be carried away by recent results and maintains that there is still work to be done to fortify certain areas of their play.
Results
Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 3-1 St John’s DSG, Eunice 10-1 Clarendon
WBHS Rugby 1st XV vs Grey BHS – Grey Weekend, 20 April 2024 | Photo: David Harrison (Courtesy of Wynberg Boys’ High)
Wynberg Boys’ High continued their electric run of form, beating Bishops Diocesan College 35-8 on a stormy Piley Rees Field on Saturday.
Their star no. 10, Yaqeen Ahmed, contributed 15 points against their peninsular rivals to help keep their stunning unbeaten streak alive for yet another week.
The marauding Wynberg troops scored at their first opportunity, with their lively little scrumhalf, Tyrone Gombe, darting over for the first five-pointer.
Fullback, Morné Noble, extended their lead, slicing through the hosts’ defences to score from his own half before Bishops got off the mark through a Jordan Petersen penalty conversion on the half-time whistle.
After some ominous weather delayed the restart, Wynberg cooked up their own storm in the second half, outscoring the hosts by 21-5 after the break.
Levi Brown, Jaythen Orange and Ahmed crossed the whitewash for the visitors, who cruised to an impressive victory.
Yusuf Ahmed got one back for the Bishops’ boys, but they’ll want to regroup before travelling to take on SACS on the coming weekend.
SACS impressed against Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday and both SACS and Bishops will be desperate to lift their morale with a good win.
Wynberg will try to extend their dominant run when they take on Rondebosch Boys’ High.
‘Bosch comfortably beat Melkbosstrand 45-13. They appear to be finding a real rhythm after overrunning SACS 55-22 last weekend.
Their big no. 8, Collin Paul Kemp, scored a hattrick against the Melkies and Carl Geddie went over the whitewash twice.
The hosts’ flyhalf, Joel Maree, accounted for all their points, with a try and a converted penalty.
The comeback kings, Milnerton High School, were almost on the receiving end of a dose of their own medicine in their first home fixture of the season against Hoërskool Bellville.
After the Sellidon twins and Litha Tasana gave Milnerton into a comfortable lead, Bellville clawed their way back into the game and were it not for an ill-fated conversion attempt striking the poles in the final moments of the contest, they would have gone all the way. The kick, however, stayed out and Milnerton was able to hold on for an epic 29-28 victory.
Chadlin Sellidon and Tasana crossed for tries, while Chadwin Sellidon contributed the rest of their points with the boot.
Meanwhile, Bosmandam edged past Bellville THS in a nailbiter by one point, winning 17-16.
Scorers
Wynberg Boys’ High 35 (14) – Tries: Tyrone Gombe, Morné Noble, Levi Brown, Jaythen Orange, Yaqeen Ahmed. Conversions: Ahmed (5). Diocesan College 8 (3) – Try: Yusuf Ahmed. Penalty: Lucca Mynhardt.
Rondebosch Boys’ High 45 (26) – Tries: Collin Paul Kemp (3), Carl Geddie (2), Alutha Wesi, David Kadima. Conversions: Harry Soboil (2), David Simon (2). Melkbosstrand 13 (10) – Try: Joel Maree. Penalty: Maree.
u19 – Bosmandam 1st XV 17, Bellville THS 16; Wynberg Boys’ High II 7, Bishops Diocesan College II 5; Bishops Diocesan College III 49, Wynberg Boys’ High III 24; Wynberg Boys’ High IV 19, Bishops Diocesan College IV 0; Wynberg Boys’ High V 17, Bishops Diocesan College V 0; Bishops Diocesan College VI 54, Wynberg Boys’ High VI 10; Rondebosch Boys’ High II 69, Melkbosstrand II 0.
u16 – Wynberg Boys’ High A 26, Bishops Diocesan College A 8; Wynberg Boys’ High B 45, Bishops Diocesan College B 12; Wynberg Boys’ High C 40, Bishops Diocesan College C 14; Wynberg Boys’ High D 33, Bishops Diocesan College D 12; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 22, Melkbosstrand A 19.
u15 – Bishops Diocesan College A 0, Wynberg Boys’ High A 0; Wynberg Boys’ High B 38, Bishops Diocesan College B 10; Wynberg Boys’ High C 14, Bishops Diocesan College C 0; Wynberg Boys’ High D 60, Bishops Diocesan College D 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 66, Melkbosstrand A 17.
u14 – Wynberg Boys’ High A 31, Bishops Diocesan College A 15; Wynberg Boys’ High B 66, Bishops Diocesan College B 0; Wynberg Boys’ High C 45, Bishops Diocesan College C 0; Wynberg Boys’ High D 87, Bishops Diocesan College D 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 50, Melkbosstrand A 3.
Greyven Dempsey en Xander van Heerden het gesamentlik 10 drieë vir SPS Brandfort ingeryg in dié span se wegholsege van 62-8 oor Sand du Plessis op Pagepark.
Dempsey, die groot agsteman, het ses keer agter die doellyn gaan kuier. In Brandfort se drie voorafgande wedstryde het hy ook 10 drieë aangeteken en daar blyk geen keer aan die Brandfort-breker te wees nie.
Van Heerden (haker) het self vier drieë gedruk om tot Sand du Plessis se verdriet by te dra, terwyl losskakel, Amolang Maloisane, 12 punte met die stewel bygevoeg het.
Puik vertonings deur die kaptein en binnesenter, Franco de Klerk, asook Pieter Bezuidenhout en MJ Wolmarans, het verder gehelp om die grondslag te lê vir Brandfort se reuse oorwinning.
Die besoekers se binnesenter, Keanu Rafferty, kon darem daarin slaag om die verdediging ‘n enkele keer uit te oorlê, met Zander du Toit wat ook met ‘n strafdoel geslaag het, maar die Bloemfonteinse span sal taamlike selfondersoek moet doen alvorens hulle eerskomende Dinsdag vir Hoërskool Bloemfontein die stryd aansê.
Die span van Winnie Mandela is eers weer volgende naweek in aksie, teen President Steyn.
Malwethu Magidela, Zastron se binnesenter, was ewe giftig in sy span se kragmeting met Hoërskool Bloemfontein, met sy driekuns wat grootliks bygedra het tot ‘n sege van 40-19. Zastron se dinamiese heelagter, Lechabile Leballo, het ook 15 punte met ‘n drie en vyf doelskoppe aangeteken.
Volgende naweek wag daar ‘n reuse stryd wanneer Zastron vir die Landbouskool Hendrik Potgieter in Reddersburg aandurf.
Die Reddersburg seuns het Saterdag hul stempel afgedruk teen Bloemfontein-Suid om met 53-0 te seëvier. Tumi Pholoane het van die bank af twee van sy span se nege drieë gedruk.
Vroeër in die week het St. Andrew’s hul indrukwekkende begin tot die seisoen voortgesit om vir Heatherdale met 52-0 te verslaan. Saints het agt drieë opgestapel om hul aanhangers te vermaak en verdere momentum te bou, nadat hulle vir Hoërskool Bloemfontein verlede naweek in hul eerste liga-bepaling kon kasty.
Puntemakers
SPS Brandfort 62 (33) – Drieë: Greyven Dempsey (6), Xander van Heerden (4). Doelskoppe: Amolang Maloisane (6). Sand du Plessis 8 (5) – Drie: Keanu Rafferty. Strafdoel: Zander du Toit.
Paul Roos players celebrate after fighting their way from 0-2 down to beat Grey High 3-2 in Gqeberha on Friday, 26 April. Photo: Dian Lategan.
There was an electric atmosphere, with both sets of supporters in full voice at the Rectory Astroturf when Grey High School hosted Paul Roos Gimnasium on Friday night. On the turf, the players delivered one of the most entertaining and hard-fought schoolboy hockey matches of the season thus far.
Grey entered the clash seeking a return to the win column after going down 2-5 to SACS in Cape Town last weekend.
PRG, on the other hand, was brimming with confidence after dismantling Paarl Boys’ High 4-0 in their first home match of the season.
Coach Michael Baker’s side was, however, dealt an early blow when they conceded with just 43 seconds played. Grey’s Robbie Stowe drove a quick ball into the 7m area and Luke Tait pushed it past Paul Roos’s keeper, Beor van Reenen, to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Ahead, and with their supporters in full voice, coach Andrew Beynon‘s boys upped the ante, seeking to double their advantage, and they could’ve gone up by four if it wasn’t for the acrobatic saves of Van Reenen.
There were no more goals in the second chukka. Although the visitors created chances to open their account, they failed to convert their short corners, which is an aspect of their game they will surely target in preparation for the Hibbert Shield, which will see them making a return to Grey next week.
With just under a minute played in the third chukka, Stowe, who created the first goal for the home side, turned goal scorer, sending a low drag flick from a short corner into the PRG goalbox to make it 2-0.
The visitors had to find a quick reply if they were to get something out of the match, and the fightback began midway through the third chukka.
Barend Geldenhuys whipped in a cross from the baseline, which found Josh Smit, and he deposited the ball over the goal line to bring hope to the travelling supporters.
Heading into the final quarter, Grey led 2-1 but that was quickly changed when Geldenhuys struck from open play. He, then, stuck away a rebound for a penalty corner late in the match to snatch a 3-2 win for Paul Roos, who had looked dead and buried until their third chukka opener.
“We tried a tactic in the first chukka of a half court press and almost 30 seconds in went 0-1 down and, well, that meant things had to change quickly,” coach Baker told SuperSport Schools after the match.
“We just couldn’t settle into the game, and I think we changed shape nearly five times.
“The game was end-to-end, with a high intensity throughout. Credit must go to our conditioning team, led by Josh Raymer, because we still had the legs, and showed some character.
“We have done so much work on culture and to see it come through today was just simply incredible,” he concluded.
In other matches around the Eastern Cape, Cambridge High School downed Dale College 3-1 away from home to get their season back on track.
An Aqhama Mdlulwa brace and a solitary goal by Keathan Ruiters sealed the win for the East London side.
Grey College, after playing to a 1-1 draw against Paarl Gimnasium last weekend, returned to action against Selborne College on Friday night.
After trailing early, the boys from Bloemfontein fought their way back into the clash, and convincingly handed Selborne their first defeat of the season, beating coach KJ Friend‘s team 5-2.
On the scoreboard for Grey was Matthias Visser, with two goals, Danrich Hoffmann, Gianni Tyropolis, and Duncker Hohls.
Stirling High and Kingswood College shared a 2-2 draw and, in a mid-week fixture, St Andrew’s College downed Hudson Park 3-0.
Results
Cambridge High School 3-1 Dale College
Stirling High 2-2 Kingswood College
Grey College 5-2 Selborne College
Paul Roos 3-2 Grey High
St Andrew’s College 3-0 Hudson Park
ZAIDE-LEIGH RIPPENAAR, flank van EG Jansen. FOTO: Tap Light Edits
JOHANNESBURG. – Die Doktor van Boksburg, EG Jansen, het Saterdag vir sy skoolhoof, Leon de Beer, vir ‘n spesiale afskeidsgeskenk op sy tuisveld gesorg.
Die Jansies het vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar vir Monument van Krugersdorp verslaan. Die tuisspan het met 32-15
Die span van Boksburg kon verlede jaar die Wit Bulle vir die eerste keer sedert 2015 verslaan toe hy met 41-17 baas was.
Hierdie week was De Beer se laaste week voordat hy aftree, so dit sal ongetwyfeld ‘n blywende herhinnering by hom gelaat het.
Die Jansies het vanjaar nog net een keer op hul neus teen Waterkloof in die NWU Sport-reeks (38-45) gekyk en het met dié sege oor Monnas ook gewys dat hy vanjaar sonder twyfel ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker op dié gesogte titel sal wees.
Sy slot Gerhard van Aswegen was veral woellig in die oorwinning oor die Wit Bulle, terwyl die buitesenter, Juandré Jacobs, ook op gereelde grondslag bresse in die besoekers se verdediging gevind het .
Gepraat van Waterkloof, hy het sy aanslag op vanjaar se reeds met ‘n oortuigende oorwinning van 61-17 oor die Hoërskool Nelspruit afgeskop.
Die Blou Tornado was teen rystyd reeds met ‘n bonuspunt in die sakkie asook ‘n stewige voorsprong van 35-17 in beheer van sake. Die wenspan se losskakel, Franco Cronjé, het 21 van sy span se punte via ‘n drie en agt doelskoppe aangeteken.
Die senter Riwan van Aswegen was ook ‘n groot doring in die Rhinos se vlees.
In die ander wedstryd in die reeks was Helpmekaar met 31-19 oor Menlopark in Pretoria baas. Die Helpies het in ‘n hoë rat weggespring en gou die tuisspan met 19-0 op die agtervoet gehad.
Helpies het vir Michael Benzien op losskakel ingespan wat vrugte vir die span afgewerp het. Die agterlyn het aan die gang gekom met die linkervleuel, Pieter Möller, wat baljaar het.
HTS Drostdy se Donkies moes ‘n volle sewe jaar wag om weer die soete smaak van ‘n sege oor Worcester Gimnasium se Bosvarke te proe.
Die twee spanne van Worcester het mekaar laas in 2017 ontmoet. Die Bosvarke het laas in 2015 koning gekraai met Adriaan van der Bank en Jeshau Paul wat destyds aan die spits van hulle sege van 20-18 besorg was.
Dié wenner was op die ou einde die feit dat die twee skole uiteindelik weer teen mekaar kragte gemeet het. Die Donkies het wel met 33-20 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap.
In die Goudstad het King Edward VII met 38-28 die septer in sy jaarlikse interskole teen Jeppe geswaai. KES se losskakel, Simphiwe Moyo, het veral met sy taktiese skopwerk ‘n beduidende rol gespeel om die tuisspan uit te oorlê.
xzMoyo het drie lynskoppe vanuit sy eie halfgebied tot binne in Jeppe se kwartgebied tydens die wedstryd uitgeskop om die druk te verplaas.
Jeppe se besluitneming het ‘n hele paar keer in die steek gelaat, maar die span het nooit handdoek ingegooi nie. Sy stut André Poulton is gewis ‘n jong man om dop te hou. Vir KES was niemand beter as die agtsteman, Kebotile Maake, nie.
Noordheuwel van Krugersdorp het sy titel as kampioen van die NWU Prestige-reeks net-net behou deur Wesvalia van Klerksdorp met 15-11 in die eindstryd op die Fanie du Toit-veld in Potchefstroom te verslaan.
Paarl Gimnasium het in die tweede helfte na ‘n hoër rat oorgeskakel om SACS met 35-10 te troef, terwyl Paul Roos Gimnasium op ‘n drafstap met Grey High School (21-7) klaargespeel het.
Grey-kollege het in Oos-Londen ook nie veel probleme ondervind om Selborne College met 36-7 kaf te draf nie.
Hilton College 26, Glenwood 7; Maritzburg College 41, Westville Boys’ High 10; Northwood 61, Clifton 6; Durban High School 54, St Charles College 12; Michaelhouse 34, Kearsney College 19.
NOORDVAAL
King Edward VII 38, Jeppe 28; Pretoria Boys’ High 36, Parktown Boys’ High 5; Krugersdorp High 29, Edenvale 12.
Marlow Landbou 31, Graaff-Reinet Volkskool 15; Dale College 34, Cambridge 17; St Andrew’s College 17, Graeme College 15; Hudson Park 18, St Stithians College 12; Nico Malan 29, Pearson 12; Queen’s College 52, HTS Port Rex 0; Kingswood College 77, Stirling 0.
KearsneyCollege and Michaelhouse provided high-quality entertainment on Friday night in a five-goal thriller on the Punchbowl Astro in Balgowan that neutral fans surely enjoyed. It ended in a 3-2 win for Kearsney.
When the sides crossed swords last year, Kearsney edged out Michaelhouse 1-0 in a high-octane contest. The coaches, Ashley Kemp of Kearsney, and Michaelhouse’s Nick Bérichon, expected nothing less this time around.
Kearsney was first out of the blocks with a goal only 30 seconds into the match, when their captain, Matthew Mendes de Oliveira, fired a drag flick into the back of the ‘House net.
That first goal ignited 10 minutes of dominance by Kearsney, during which they were exceptional on attack.
The visitors doubled their lead three minutes later through a field goal by Liam Johnson, off a deflection from around the penalty spot. The third goal came after 10 minutes when Bo Mokoena, mishit a shot in open play, but it caught the keeper flatfooted.
Bérichon’s charges were down but not out. They were not about to roll over in front of a supportive home crowd. They responded superbly, launching wave after wave of attacks towards the Kearsney goal.
When they scored their first goal, the enthusiastic home supporters roared loudly.
Encouraged, Michaelhouse piled on the pressure, forcing Kearsney into making errors. Those mistakes turned to frustration and that frustration led to some rash tackles, which saw some Kearsney players spending time in the sin bin.
At one point, Kemp’s team was two players down after both had earned yellow cards. “We made things difficult for ourselves. We had a couple of shots on target, others off target. We were lazy in possession, once more. I think Michaelhouse was a little more clinical in their possession,” declared Kemp.
Kemp is both a friend and a former teammate of Bérichon, whom he played alongside during their time at Tuks. He expected Michaelhouse to be both aggressive and unrelenting in attack, so he therefore he focused on preparing’s Kearsney deep defence when he prepared his team for the encounter. He was right to do so.
Spurred on by the home crowd, Michaelhouse took the game hard to Kearsney, reversing the momentum of the contest, and they were rewarded once more in the final chukka, to pull within a single goal of the hosts.
“I am excited for the rest of the season. The boys have a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence in goalscoring areas,” Kemp said.
Bérichon, who is in his first season with Michaelhouse, is happy with the progress his team is making.
The home side won two penalty corners and was able to capitalise on them. “We went two from two on penalty corners, so I am happy with that,” he said. “We also managed to create so many great chances towards the end and got close to equalising, but we didn’t execute.”
The Michaelhouse coach was also impressed by the character and resilience his charges exhibited in the match, and is excited for his team, which he expects to come out fighting next weekend against Hilton College.
Six games into a gruelling run of fixtures and the Paul Roos Gimnasium(PRG) first team is yet to meet its match in 2024.
On Saturday, the Maroon Machine outscored Grey High 21-7 in Gqeberha, further boosting their confidence and momentum before they tackle Monument and Maritzburg College at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley next week.
Watch the Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools clash again on SuperSport Schools – Register now –Link to the game
The hosts did well to put Paul Roos under pressure early on, with brave carries by Likona Sodlaka and Akhanani Zita leading the way.
Last weekend, Grey did well to hold an unbeaten Wynberg Boys’ High to a 10-10 draw in a low-scoring thriller in Cape Town. During the opening stages of the match, with strong gusts of wind influencing the play and the hosts’ tireless barrage against the Paul Roos defensive line keeping them busy, it looked as if they might be able to frustrate another team in good form.
However, after a taxing period on defence, the visitors were rewarded for their disciplined play when the big prop Oliver Reid sent their star flanker Gert Kemp, who has been a standout for the proud Stellenbosch outfit over the last couple of weeks, over for the first five-pointer.
Paul Roos has gone from strength to strength ever since their unbeaten tour of Ireland in December 2023 and the lively young flanker has had a big part to play in their success.
Reid added his name to the scoresheet, too, when he barged over for their second try a short while after Kemp’s effort. With PRG captain Riley Norton helping to drive the big Craven Week prop forward, there was nothing short of a brick wall capable of stopping the Maroon Machine that close to their opponents’ line.
Norton had a massive impact on the game with his work at the lineouts, as well, causing havoc at set pieces for Grey High, which broke their momentum every time they worked their way into promising positions.
After the break, Sodlaka reaped the rewards of his high work-rate throughout the match when he muscled over for his side’s only try.
Paul Roos responded through their speedy winger, Keenan Stoffels, after good hands by Reid and Kemp once again, and the Maroon Machine marched on with their spectacular record for the season still unblemished.
For Grey, Smith and Lavela Pongolo stood out, along with the try-scorer Sodlaka and, although the result didn’t go their way, they will be able to take positives from the game into next week, when they host the prestigious Grey High Rugby Festival.
They face St John’s College on Thursday, 2 May, and go up against Graeme College in their second outing, focussed on reversing an historic loss to their rivals from Makhanda in 2023.
Scorers
Paul Roos Gimnasium 21 (14) – Tries: Gert Kemp, Oliver Reid, Keenan Stoffels. Conversions: Joshua Dampies (3). Grey High 7 (0) – Try: Likona Sodlaka. Conversion: Zephyr Smith.
Results
u19 – Paul Roos II 43, Grey High II 13; Paul Roos III 51, Grey High III 0; Paul Roos IV 27, Grey High 5; Paul Roos V 32, Grey High V 7; Paul Roos VI 59, Grey High VI 0; Paul Roos VII 10; Grey High VII 3.
u16 – Paul Roos A 19, Grey High A 10; Grey High B 17, Paul Roos B 17; Paul Roos C 69, Grey High C 0; Paul Roos D 49, Grey High D 10.
u15 – Grey High A 17, Paul Roos A 12; Paul Roos B 23, Grey High B 5; Paul Roos C 33, Grey High C 0; Paul Roos D 36, Grey High D 15; Paul Roos E 48, Grey High E 0.
u14 – Paul Roos A 43, Grey High A 15; Paul Roos B 43, Grey High B 0; Paul Roos C 36, Grey High C 7; Paul Roos D 73, Grey High D 0; Paul Roos E 79, Grey High E 0.
Paarl Gimnasium wasted no time getting back to winning ways on Saturday, outclassing SACS in the second half of their clash to score a convincing 35-10 victory.
The Gimmies tasted defeat for the first time this season last weekend when they narrowly lost 27-29 to Grey College.
SACS played extremely well to frustrate the hosts in the first 35 minutes, but a dominant performance after the break enabled the Gimmies to assert themselves and head into the Absa Wildeklawer Tournament in Kimberley with a welcome win under the belt.
After a gruelling run of fixtures, during which they dusted off Boland Landbou (47-13) and edged by Affies (20-19) before last weekend’s loss to Grey, the Gimmies struggled to find their rhythm early on in the match in the face of the visitors’ tireless attack.
SACS, who were coming off a 22-55 loss to their southern suburbs’ rivals, Rondebosch Boys’ High, threw everything they had at the Gimmie defences from the first kick-off.
Their big lock, Callum Hirst, had a couple of strong carries and fullback, Jack Benade, looked exciting every time he touched the ball.
The Gimmie-defence, however, remained resolute and, despite not seeing much of the ball in the first 20 minutes, they were able to keep the visitors away from their try-line, for the most part.
It took a bit of magic by Rayaan Solomons to break through the home team’s barriers, allowing Nic Reynolds to open the scoring and give SACS the upper hand.
Reynolds had captained the side with distinction in their last couple of outings in the absence of Seth Bradford, who was injured early in the season.
Bradford returned with a vengeance in Saturday’s clash and starred for the visitors until he was unfortunately forced to leave the field early in the second half with another injury.
After Reynolds’ five-pointer, it was more of the same for the rest of the first half as SACS kept Gimmies pinned in their half, but brave defending, by the likes of Josh O’Neill and his captain Kobus Blanckenberg, kept the score at 0-7 at the break.
A stern talking-to at half-time seemed to do the trick and the hosts shot out of the blocks in the second stanza with flanker, Wihan Kotze, opening Gim’s account, and Freek de Kock expertly adding the extras to level the scores.
De Kock, who moved from fullback to wing after last weekend’s match, stood out for the hosts. He kept a perfect record off the tee and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.
His flyhalf, Chandler Green, also shone, directing the Gimmie attack smoothly throughout the match, and he played a big role in swinging the momentum in his side’s favour.
Blanckenberg struck twice while Solomons could add only a penalty as Gim stormed into a 21-10 lead.
Still, SACS were in it until the final 10 minutes. A brace of tries for the other Gimmie centre, Markus Muller, then knocked the wind out of the visitors’ sails and secured a comprehensive win for Paarl Gimnasium.
The classy performance will give the Gimmies a welcome boost before they take on two more-than-capable challengers from the Noordvaal, EG Jansen and Helpmekaar, in Kimberley next week.
SACS will regroup quickly and set about preparing for their next challenge, a home fixture next weekend against Bishops Diocesan College.
u19 – Paarl Gimnasium II 38, SACS II 5; Paarl Gimnasium III 26, SACS III 11; Paarl Gimnasium IV 42, SACS IV 7; Paarl Gimnasium V 34, SACS V 5; Paarl Gimnasium VI 53, SACS VI 3.
u16 – Paarl Gimnasium A 53, SACS A 0; Paarl Gimnasium B 85, SACS B 0; Paarl Gimnasium C 72, SACS C 0.
u15 – Paarl Gimnasium A 15, SACS A 13; Paarl Gimnasium B 20, SACS B 11; SACS C 15, Paarl Gimnasium C 10; Paarl Gimnasium D 27, SACS D 26.
u14 – Paarl Gimnasium A 52, SACS A 14; Paarl Gimnasium B 15, SACS B 9; Paarl Gimnasium C 10, SACS C 7; Paarl Gimnasium D 37, SACS D 10; Paarl Gimnasium E 25, SACS E 14.
SACS reaffirmed their claim to be the top team in the country with a win over Paarl Gim, but it was a real battle.
On a weekend where upsets were expected, it was business as usual for Bishops Diocesan College and South African College High School (SACS) as they picked up crucial victories over Wynberg Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium respectively to keep their winning records in pristine condition.
Meanwhile, in George, it was Parel Vallei who reigned supreme, thumping Outeniqua 7-2.
Bishops hosted their southern suburbs’ rivals Wynberg Boys’ High at the Woodlands Astroturf. There, a potential banana skin was comfortably averted with a solid performance, which secured a convincing 3-0 win.
SACS, meanwhile, made a trip into the Boland to face Paarl Gimnasium and were made to sweat for their 4-3 win.
Heading into their clash, both Bishops and Wynberg were both unbeaten in the province and both had designs on claiming the early season bragging rights.
In their previous outings, Bishops had thumped Reddam Constantia 7-1, while Wynberg held Grey High, who have enjoyed an outstanding season, to a 2-2 draw.
In the highly anticipated clash, it was the hosts, who opened the scoring in the first chukka through Joshua Metttler after a scrappy short corner.
Soon after, Wynberg moved onto the attack, and earned themselves a PC, but Bishops’ goalkeeper Mu’aath Ganief kept the shot out to ensure his side finished the quarter 1-0 to the good.
The second chukka was largely subdued as both sides prodded and probed, with the defences ruling the roost.
Wynberg mustered two penalty corners, but coach Ben Wiley’s boys failed to hit the target and were unable to capitalise.
Bishops doubled their tally early in the third chukka through their skipper, Robert Veldtman.
Wynberg, just like in the first half of the match, responded by creating chances but couldn’t convert them.
Late in the final chukka, Ryan Julius’s charges put the final nail in the coffin when vice-captain Andrew Raubenheimer got onto the end of a scrappy ball into the circle to tap in for his team’s third of the match.
“We trained specific things this week and focused a lot on our defence, and being good on 1-vs-1, and I think the boys displayed that tonight,” coach Julius told SuperSport Schools after the match.
“I always strive for perfection; it wasn’t the perfect game.
“I think our PCs need work, and I take full responsibility for that, but the boys continued to trust in me and the changes we made.
“We must stay humble and grounded, though, because there is still a lot of work to do,” he concluded.
Bishops will next turn their attention to the Hibbert Shield, to be hosted by Grey High School in Gqeberha, from 1 May.
In Paarl, SACS scrapped their way to a 4-3 win over Paarl Gimnasium in a heated and highly contested encounter.
The hosts looked like they were cruising to a stunning victory early in the first chukka when they shocked the Cape Town school by scoring three goals, courtesy of an LD Nel brace and another from Johan van der Merwe.
SACS, however, with a never-say-die attitude, fought their way back into the encounter. It was Litha Kraai at the forefront of their attack. He struck twice, including once in the fourth chukka.
Their other goals were scored by Reece Theunis and Regan Wille, which ensured SACS’ record remains nothing but wins.
In George, Parel Vallei was dominant, delivering an emphatic 7-1 thrashing of Outeniqua.
With the win, coach Michael van Rensberg’s troops made it two wins in succession after they claimed an impressive 4-2 victory against Worcester Gimnasium last week.
Luka Meets did the majority of the damage, netting four times, while Luca Jordaan grabbed a double, and Jared Jacobs also got his name on the score sheet to complete a one-sided scoreline.
Western Cape Results
Fairmont High 1-0 Pinelands
Bishops 3-0 Wynberg
Stellenberg 3-1 DF Malan
Paarl Gimnasium 3-4 SACS
Parel Vallei 7-2 Outeniqua
Rondebosch vs Reddam House- Game called off due to lightning
Durbanville 9-2 Khayelitsha Hockey Club
Worcester Gimnasium 4-0 Brackenfell
Belville High 4-0 Westerford
Somerset College vs Strand
Hoërskool Eldoraigne se Drake het hul weg na oorwinning teruggevind.
Die span van Centurion het in hul eerste wedstryd van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling naelskraaps met 17-15 teen Hoërskool Alberton, in Alberton, geseëvier.
Die Drake se agtsteman, Jaydon Niehaus, het vroeg reeds toegeslaan om ‘n drie te druk, maar die tuisspan het deurgaans gespook om die lewe vir die besoekers van Centurion moeilik te maak.
Selfs toe Eldoraigne se ander losvoorspeler, oopkantflank, Rikus Rheeder, ook oorgebars vir ‘n tweede drie, het Alberton steeds geweier om die handdoek in te gooi en het hul losskakel en generaal, Dewald de Jager, kort voor rustyd die Eldo’s se doellyn oorgesteek.
Die tweede helfte het die toeskouers, en verál die tuisspan se ondersteuners, laat regop sit. Alberton se hardwerkende slot, Kay-C Nel, en regtervleuel, Nathen Reicherdt, het albei vir die Drake onverhoeds betrap om elk ‘n drie te druk.
Eldo’s se staatmaker, JP Meyer, wat weer in sy gunstelingposisie van losskakel diens verrig het, het in dié naelbytstryd uiteindelik die verskil tussen die twee spanne bewerkstellig met twee doelskoppe en ‘n uiters belangrike strafdoel om slegs Eldoraigne se tweede sege van die jaar te beklink.
