Pearson High scored two crucial tries just before halftime to set up a convincing 31-20 win over Brandwag in Kariega on Saturday. Down the road, Daniel Pienaar edged out Muir College 17-13 in a thrilling finale to the season.
Both matches were played in difficult conditions, with a strong wind blowing down the field, but the players gave everything as they battled to finish their campaigns on a high.
The Brandwag-Pearson clash was evenly contested, with the visitors holding a narrow 12-8 lead as halftime approached. Pearson then opened up some breathing room by scoring twice in two minutes to take a 24-8 advantage into the break.
Inside centre Siphe Myataza went over next to the posts after bursting through a half-gap following a series of Pearson attacks. His midfield partner, Henrico Ferreira, then powered through the Brandwag defence for an unconverted try.
Earlier, Brandwag had taken the lead with a brilliant move in which hooker Austin de Wet made significant ground before offloading to scrumhalf Zanick Carolus, who crossed for the opening try.
Pearson hit back when they attacked down the right, with hooker Leendert Bezuidenhout taking the final pass and bashing his way over.
Another superb attacking move then saw wing Sebastian Playdon use his pace to outmanoeuvre the Brandwag defence and race over under the posts.
Rezanio Petrus added a penalty for Brandwag, but the home side had plenty to ponder at the break.
Brandwag struck first after halftime when powerful prop Francu Fouche barged over for the first of his two tries, but Pearson quickly restored their 16-point advantage through flank Henrico Bodenstein.
Fouche powered over again to give the home side hope, but Pearson had done enough to secure a well-earned victory and finish their season on a positive note.
At Muir, a crucial interception by lanky Daniel Pienaar lock, Etto Mapapu, with six minutes remaining, proved decisive.
The teams were locked at 10-6 to the Tigers in the 60th minute when Mapapu’s big hands intercepted a pass, and he raced 40 metres to score under the posts. The conversion put Daniel Pienaar 17-6 ahead with time running out.
Muir refused to surrender and quickly struck back when fullback Onke Marola spotted a gap and sniped through for a converted try, giving the home side hope of snatching victory.
From the restart, Muir worked their way deep into Tigers territory, but a forward pass brought their attack to an end and handed possession back to Daniel Pienaar.
The Tigers calmly put the ball into touch to secure a hard-fought victory and complete a notable “double-double” over their Kariega rivals, having beaten both Brandwag and Muir twice during the season.
Scorers:
Pearson High 31 (24) – Tries: Leendert Bezuidenhout, Sebastian Playdon, Siphe Myataza, Henrico Ferreira, Henrico Bodenstein. Conversions: Keano Beling (3). Brandwag 20 (8) – Tries: Zanick Carolus, Francu Fouche (2). Penalty: Rezanio Petrus. Conversion: Petrus.
Daniel Pienaar 17 (5) – Tries: Morne Kritzinger, Marco Lamont, Etto Mapapu. Conversion: Quade-Cooper Hutchinson. Muir 13 (0) – Tries: Onke Marola. Penalties: Bulumko Kilani (2). Conversion: Kilani.
Other results:
U19
II: Brandwag 17 Pearson 17
III: Brandwag 50 Pearson 12
IV: Brandwag 48 Pearson 5
U16
A: Pearson 22 Brandwag 10
U15
A: Brandwag 10 Pearson 10
B: Brandwag 22 Pearson 5
U14
A: Brandwag 24 Pearson 0
B: Brandwag 64 Pearson 5
C: Brandwag 38 Pearson 15
