Queen's hammer Port Rex

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:50

The Queen’s College 1st XV demolished the visiting Port Rex team in a one-sided match played in perfect, settled weather on the Rec. on Saturday afternoon, scoring 13 scintillating tries, most of which were long range tries initiated from within their own half of the field. 

Flyhalf, Athi Gxotiwe, was on target with all but two of the conversions, to take his personal tally to 22 points.

The inept defensive capabilities of the Port Rex players were exploited throughout the game while the Queenians gave a fine display of determined running and effective support play. Finding themselves 19- 0 down within the first 7 minutes, would certainly have made it extremely difficult for the visitors, who found themselves on the back foot for the duration of the game, with Queen’s remaining on the offensive.

Newcomer Justin Bouwer proved to be valuable at the break down where he secured numerous valuable turnovers, and who will certainly have to be at his best when Queen’s play Selborne in East London on 26 July.  Their loose trio have been unrivalled on the Border this season.

An encouraging aspect of the Queen’s play was the good continuity that was maintained but a worrying aspect at times, was their ball retention and sloppy handling and finishing on the odd occasion.

All five first half tries were scored by backline players namely, left wing Sbura Sithole (2), centres Aziyena Mandaba and Thabo Kambule and right wing Leon Makiwane -resulting in a 33-0 lead for Queen’s at the interval.

The second half saw Queen’s shift up a gear or two, resulting in eight tries coming from some good interplay between backs and forwards. Eighthman Juan du Preez, and locks Samuel Borsah and Ashley Phillips featured prominently on the carry while in the machine room, good work was done by the unsung workhorses, Allan Dell, Grant Hartley and Joseph Bwowe (who made a welcome return to the team after doing duty with the 2nd XV for the first half of the season).
 
Second half tries were scored by fullback Linton Terblanche (2) (who had a very good game), Bernard Jjuuko (2),  Borsah (2), Sithole and Dell.

Pot Rex responded with two penalties converted by flyhalf S Makwedini.

Whether this huge 87-6 victory on the eve of the tough Selborne derby on 26 July will give Queen’s a psychological edge or not, remains to be seen, but what is certain is the fact that they will want to avenge their 27-19 home loss to Selborne earlier in the season.     

By Mike Boy