Paarl Gimnasium defeated a southern suburbs’ side 66-14 on Saturday. Last week, they beat Bishops by that score. This time around, Wynberg Boys’ High was the victim.
The visitors took their winning streak to 10 games in succession by delivering a complete performance on Hawthornden Field.
Gimmies‘ fullback Thomas Saunders was in his element, using his excellent speed and smart running lines to score four tries. He appears to have a sixth sense for knowing where space in the opposition’s defence will open up, and he put those instincts to devastating use.
Openside flank Corné Niemand got himself onto the scoresheet for the third week in a row. He’s long been consistent in defence, but now appears to be evolving into a consistent try-scorer as well.
Left-wing De Waal Vivier, who’s also an excellent cricketer, made his presence known with a brace, while scrumhalf Alexander Kotze backed his feet to also race over for two tries.
Flyhalf Louis Koen collected 16 points off the kicking tee, once again providing consistency with the boot.
With less than 20 minutes played, the hosts were 0-26 behind, but they cut into the Gim lead at last. From a lineout just outside the Paarl Gim 22, flyhalf Achmat Behardien, with superb touch, stabbed a delicate grubber behind the opposition’s defence, and outside centre Ithandile Nkhola collected the ball before going over for a try.
That was, however, the only scoring sequence from Wynberg in the first half, and Paarl Gimnasium led 40-7 at halftime.
The visitors continued their impressive all-round play in the second half, again depriving Wynberg of possession and territory.
After such an intense encounter, Wynberg will welcome a less demanding showdown with Hoërskool Bellville next weekend. Meanwhile, Oakdale Landbou will aim to end Paarl Gim’s winning streak in Riversdal.
In another match played in Cape Town, SACS broke Hoërskool Parel Vallei’s 11-game winning streak, which included nine wins on the trot this season. In a hard-fought contest, the home side triumphed 19-5 on the Memorial-A Field.
Fullback Shudley Rhoda bagged the Bulldogs’ five points, which was no surprise. He’s been their most prolific attacking threat all season long.
SACS flank Kwakhanya Gobe twice forced his way over the line for tries as the home team won most of the forward battles at the breakdown and set-pieces, which left the visitors short of quality ball.
While one of the standout qualities of the PV side has been their clinical finishing, a team needs the ball to be able to finish.
SACS prop Deen Fortuin was a good example of the tenacity shown by the hosts up front, which also brought him a try.
The 14-point win was a confidence booster for the SACS players, who will come up against a wounded Paarl Boys’ High next weekend. Booishaai lost to Paul Roos Gimnasium in a King Price Derby Series clash on Saturday.
After their first loss of the season, Parel Vallei will have an opportunity to put the lessons they took from their defeat to good use when they tackle Hoërskool Brackenfell at home.
Scorers
Paarl Gimnasium 66 (40) – Tries: Thomas Saunders (4), De Waal Vivier (2), Alexander Kotze (2), Dirk Hugo, Corné Niemand. Conversions: Louis Koen (8). Wynberg Boys’ High 14 (7) – Tries: Ithandile Nkhola, Ridah Johnson. Conversions: Achmat Behardien, Luke Gertze.
SACS 19 – Tries: Kwakhanyo Gobe (2), Deen Fortuin. Conversions: Jake Dave (2). Hoërskool Parel Vallei 5 – Try: Shudley Rhoda.
Other Results
U19 – Wynberg II 7 Paarl Gim II 54, Wynberg III 5 Paarl Gim III 33, Wynberg IV 15 Paarl Gim IV 14, Wynberg V 0 Paarl Gim V 40, Wynberg VI 12 Paarl Gim VI 64.
U16 – Wynberg A 31 Paarl Gim A 29, Wynberg B 10 Paarl Gim B 21, Wynberg C 7 Paarl Gim C 54, Wynberg D 0 Paarl Gim D 61.
U15 – Wynberg A 8 Paarl Gim A 42, Wynberg B 0 Paarl Gim B 33, Wynberg C 0 Paarl Gim C 104, Wynberg D 0 Paarl Gim D 54.
U14 – Wynberg A 19 Paarl Gim A 32, Wynberg B 10 Paarl Gim B 47, Wynberg C 14 Paarl Gim C 41, Wynberg D 0 Paarl Gim D 63; SACS A 26 Parel Vallei 3.
