Graeme shades Queen’s, Selborne in solid win over Dale

Powerful Graeme College wing Asakhe Ranuga was the toast of his team on Saturday after bursting through the Queen’s College defence twice to secure a thrilling 31-28 victory for the Makhanda visitors.

Meanwhile, Selborne College produced a composed performance to gain some redemption against Dale College, winning 28-17 in KuGompo City to gain valuable momentum ahead of their derby against Grey High this coming weekend.

At the Rec ground’s notorious “House of Pain“, Graeme and Queen’s produced a fierce contest in which neither side was prepared to give an inch.

Graeme trailed 17-21 when Ranuga produced the first of his match-winning moments.

Collecting a bouncing ball well inside his own half, the powerful wing launched a counter-attack, carried to the halfway line, and then chipped ahead. He regathered the ball before outpacing the cover defence to score near the posts.

It was typical of the see-saw nature of the contest that Queen’s regained the lead just six minutes later.

Fullback Inga Mnunu created space before finding wing Sinqobile Xhentsa, who crossed for his second try of the match. Bongo Nyakaza added the conversion, and suddenly Graeme trailed 24-28 with only five minutes remaining.

The visitors refused to buckle, however, and Ranuga struck again, powering his way through the Queen’s defence for his second try in 10 minutes.

Elgin Fanton, who was outstanding for Graeme throughout, added the conversion to put the visitors 31-28 ahead with only minutes remaining.

Graeme then held firm through a frantic final passage as Queen’s launched one last attacking assault, securing a hard-fought victory which underlined the quality of their outstanding season.

Fanton opened the scoring with a well-taken try in the right-hand corner and added four conversions and a penalty, while hardworking No 8 Lidwala Maliti also crossed the whitewash for the visitors.

Queen’s College had started strongly, with Nyakaza kicking two penalties for an early 6-0 lead before Xhentsa out-stepped the Graeme defence to score in the right-hand corner. Nyakaza added an excellent touchline conversion.

The home side led 13-10 at halftime and extended their advantage after a powerful run by prop Zeacke Mata created the opportunity for flank Ethan Oosthuizen to cross.

Nyakaza finished with 13 points from three penalties and two conversions, but it was Graeme who had the final say.

At the Selborne field in KuGompo City, Dale never managed to take the lead against a disciplined home side, who gained revenge for their 31-27 defeat in the first meeting in Qonce.

Selborne took their chances throughout, with flyhalf Riley Hansel particularly impressive from the kicking tee, landing three penalties and two conversions.

Wing Sabelo Vuso opened the scoring in the eighth minute after an excellent move down the left flank in which hooker Reece Rasmussen played a prominent role.

Dale hit back almost immediately when Selborne were caught trying to run the ball from their own 22. A knock-on fell straight into the hands of rampaging No 8 Kungawo Jaca, who raced through untouched to level the scores.

Selborne responded by building sustained scoreboard pressure. Tireless loose forward Travis Enslin powered over for a try before two well-struck penalties by Hansel gave the home side a 20-7 advantage.

Dale flyhalf Sonwabise Dyani reduced the deficit with a penalty shortly before halftime, but Selborne remained firmly in control at 20-10.

They strengthened their position after an excellent break by centre Aaron James from deep inside his own half. The move eventually created the space for Edward Malinzi to make further ground before wing Zweletu Njoholo received the ball and raced over in the right-hand corner.

Trailing 10-25, Dale mounted a late fightback when a powerful surge by prop Sanele Bistoli created the opportunity for centre Achumile George to score under the posts.

But time was against the visitors, and Hansel settled the contest with his third penalty on the final hooter.

Scorers:

Graeme College 31 (10) – Tries: Elgin Fanton, Lidwala Maliti, Asakhe Ranuga (2). Penalty: Fanton. Conversions: Fanton (4). Queen’s College 28 (13) – Tries: Sinqobile Xhentsa (2), Ethan Oosthuizen. Penalties: Bongo Nyakaza (3). Conversions: Nyakaza (2).

Selborne College 28 (20) – Tries: Sabelo Vuso, Travis Enslin, Zweletu Njoholo. Penalties: Riley Hansel (3). Conversions: Hansel (2). Dale College 17 (10) – Tries: Kungawo Jaca, Achumile George. Penalty: Sonwabise Dyani. Conversions: Dyani, Iminathi Skweyiya.