After being on the back foot for much of the second half, Grey High produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Framesby 35-28 in a heart-stopping finish to their King Price Derby Series encounter at Framesby in Gqeberha on Saturday.
With just six minutes left, the visitors found themselves trailing 21-28. Their dominant forwards, however, powered over for two converted tries to transform that seven-point deficit into a seven-point victory and their first win at Framesby since 2017.
The teams were deadlocked at 14-14 at halftime, but Grey quickly claimed the lead through a try by Blake Parker. From then on, though, the home side enjoyed the better of the half as their forwards mauled effectively from lineouts, claiming huge chunks of ground.
With Framesby enjoying the territorial advantage, their big flank Franco Olivier charged over for a score-levelling try next to the posts. Then, 10 minutes from the end, the home side snatched the lead when a clever kick ahead saw Johneton van Rooyen dot down and Miles Feltham add his third conversion of the contest.
It was a crucial score, but Framesby was then guilty of far too many infringements, which allowed Grey to move deep into their territory by kicking for touch from the ensuing penalties.
The visiting pack showed they, too, could maul equally effectively, and Sibonelo Stuurman forced his way over for their fourth try. Fyhalf Nathan Trytsman held his nerve to slot the conversion with five minutes left to bring his side level at 28-28.
That passage of play was repeated a few minutes later and, as Grey drove hard for the try line, they were awarded a five-metre scrum with the final hooter having sounded.
This time, they drove hard around the fringes. The heroic Framesby defence could hold out no longer, and Daniel Naude crashed over for the winning score. Trytsman put the cherry on the cake for Grey High by landing his fifth successful conversion from five attempts.
Earlier, Framesby scored first through a penalty try from a lineout maul, which also resulted in Grey receiving a yellow card. The visitors quickly hit back, though, and broke through the Framesby backline for tries by Anfred Jansen and Michael Nyandoro.
Towards the end of the first half, Framesby captain David Matyani outwitted the Grey defence from a five-metre scrum, racing over to make it 14-14.
From then, there was little to separate the sides, but Framesby’s mistakes, paired with Grey’s forward power, allowed the visiting team to secure their second straight win over their Gqeberha rivals.
Scorers:
Grey High 35 (14) – Tries: Anfred Jansen, Blake Parker, Michael Nyandoro, Sibonelo Stuurman, Daniel Naude. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (5). Framesby 28 (14) – Tries: penalty try, David Matyani, Franco Olivier, Johneton van Rooyen. Conversions: Miles Feltham (3).
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