Fine win for Bishops

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:09

The wind barrelled down off Devil's Peak, cold and mean but the match between Bishops and SACS, ancient rugby rivals, took no notice and produced a splendid match on Memorial A on Women's Day, SACS probably underdone by the final score of 41-17 in the favour of Bishops. There was a huge and eager crowd in layers around the ground, also unfazed by the northwester's destructive force that blew down the biggest pinetree on the Peninsula on the morning of the match. The first encounter of the season between the two schools was also a wonderful match and produced a draw. This one looked to be heading that way when half-time came at 10-all. But two factors in the second half changed all that. Bishops had the northwester at their backs and Nick Köster came on in the second half. The combined thrust of wind and Köster was too much for SACS, manful though they were. It was a splendid match. Both sides were enterprising, looking to run at all times and from anywhere. Both sides tackled and competed at the tackle with zest. One of the great contests of the match was that between the two sets of loose forwards. Bishops probably one that and therein lay the winning of the match. You cannot tackle forever. Bishops scored first when scrumhalf Jason Scott went over in the corner from a charged-down clearance. Dougie Mallett converted from touch. Flyhalf Ishmat Fakier, playing instead of Tim Carr, kicked a penalty from afar and then centre Chad Moolman broke splendidly down the left, drew the last man and gave a perfect pass to Rodney Mthi on the left wing leaving him a long but unimpeded run-in to the posts. Fakier converted. Both sides were on the brink of scoring during the left of the half but the significant score went to Bishops on the stroke of half-time when Mallett kicked a magnificent penalty from a long way out and across the force of the wind. From the start of the half Köster was here there and everywhere. He burst over for a try but was penalised for holding on but a penalty by Mallett put Bishops ahead 13-10. Not many minutes but two tries later Bishops led 27-10. First right wing Chezre Arendse ran well and gave inside to scrumhalf Scott who scored at then posts and then, in another attack down the right, Köster chipped sweetly and for another try at the posts. Greg Mallett ran with speed and verve to set up the next try. Tackled Mallett popped the ball to wing Nico Loizides who scored. Bishops were setting up another attack when SACS left wing Dean Holland raced onto the intercept and made a bee-line for the posts, leaving nobody to catch him. 34-17 with just a minute to go. There was just time for Köster to chip again towards the right. This time the kind bounced stood gently to await Arendse's arrival and yet another try. The score may sound one-sided. The match wasn't. Scorers: For Bishops Tries: Scott 2, Köster, Loizides, Arendse Cons: D Mallett 5 Pens: D Mallett 2 For SACS: Tries: Mthi, Holland Cons: Fakier 2 Pen: Fakier