The Kolisi Field scoreboard operators were on high alert at Grey High on Saturday as tries flowed like confetti at a wedding during the home side’s remarkable 61-47 victory over their KuGompo City rivals Selborne College.
When the dust settled on the season, the sides had produced a remarkable 15 tries – nine by Grey and six by Selborne – excluding a penalty try awarded to the visitors in the second half.
With 20 minutes remaining, the scoreboard made astonishing reading, with Grey, who led 35-26 at halftime, holding just a two-point advantage at 42-40.
Eventually, however, the power of the Grey pack proved decisive as their maul marauders repeatedly shoved Selborne backwards, paving the way for hooker Micah Wessels to cross for an incredible five tries.
The home forwards also showed plenty of deft touches with the ball in hand, with locks Juandre van Jaarsveld and Jean Nel producing thrilling tries.
Flyhalf Nathan Trytsman added to Grey’s dominance with a superb goalkicking display, converting nine of their tries.
Although they struggled to plug the gaps in their defence, Selborne was never overwhelmed by the Grey scoring avalanche and gave as good as they got in a furious effort to remain within striking distance.
From 19-35 down in the 28th minute, the visitors showed tremendous character to take the lead for the first time seven minutes into the second half when hooker Reece Rasmussen pounced on a Grey mistake to put Selborne 40-35 ahead.
Among their scores were two superb efforts by centre Iviwe Kabale as the Selbornians repeatedly found ways to punch holes in the Grey defence.
Their lead was short-lived, though, as Grey responded by going ahead 42-40 and then scored a further three tries in nine minutes to surge to a lead of 61-40, effectively settling the outcome.
Selborne had the final say when wing Zwelethu Nojaholo found space down the left to score the final try of the match just before the final whistle.
In Kariega, Daniel Pienaar produced one of their most composed performances of the season to outduel Brandwag 25-7 and complete a double over their town rivals.
It was an outstanding team effort by the Tigers as they matched the physicality of the Brandwag side and defended with discipline to limit the visitors to only two tries. One of those came from prop Casper Steenkamp shortly before halftime, leaving the score at 13-7 at the interval.
From there, Daniel Pienaar took control and underlined their hunger for victory through an outstanding goalkicking display by scrumhalf Corbelle Claasen.
After slotting two penalties to put his team 6-0 ahead in the 28th minute, Claasen converted a brilliant try by fullback Raqiel Jaftha, who cut through a gap before sprinting about 50 metres for a stunning score.
Leading by six points at halftime, the Tigers rolled up their sleeves and constantly harried Brandwag, forcing errors, from which Claasen punished them.
He added four more penalties for a personal tally of 20 points as Daniel Pienaar pulled clear to improve on their narrow 23-22 victory when they met on 1 May.
Pearson High produced a commendable effort against a strong Parel Vallei side before the Somerset West visitors moved through the gears after halftime.
Playing at the Hannes Strydom Field, Pearson scored twice and trailed only 10-19 at the break.
But Parel Vallei proved masterful at building and sustaining pressure, doing so with precision and commitment after the restart.
The visitors ran in four unanswered tries to establish a commanding 43-10 lead with 10 minutes remaining, which effectively settled the contest.
Pearson refused to give up, though, and was rewarded when captain Dewald Niemand crossed for a late try to make the final score 43-17.
In Makhanda, hard-running Graeme College wing Asakhe Ranuga crossed for an early try against Muir College, setting the home side on their way to a 54-27 victory.
After taking a heavy beating against Grey High the previous weekend, the Kariega side showed plenty of guts and determination, but Graeme ultimately had too many weapons across the field.
Scorers:
Grey High 61 (35) – Tries: Micah Wessels (5), Michael Nyandoro, Juandre van Jaarsveld (2), Jean Nel. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (8). Selborne 47 (26) – Tries: Aza Matimba, Lwandle Bacela, Iviwe Kabale (2), Reece Rasmussen, Zwelethu Nojaholo, penalty try. Conversions: Imibongo Magwevana (5).
Daniel Pienaar 25 (13) – Tries: Raqiel Jaftha. Penalties: Corbelle Claasen (6). Conversion: Claasen. Brandwag 12 (7) – Try: Casper Steenkamp, N/A. Conversion: Rezanio Petrus.
Parel Vallei 43 (19) – Tries: Shudley Rhoda (2), Cayden Rautenbach, Ayden February, Owen Cockroft, Michael Kent, Raphael von Loeper. Conversions: Rhoda (2), Stephan Nieman (2). Pearson 17 (10) – Tries: Lili Giyose, Dewald Niemand (2). Conversions: Keano Beling (2).
