SACS pipped by Rondebosch again

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:05

SACS narrowly lost to rivals Rondebosch Boys’ High for the second time this season. As was the case in the first round only one score separated the teams, SACS going down 16-10.

The first half was a fairly uneventful affair as two team’s, who know each other well, felt each other out. Despite the bright winter skies the field was still very wet and slippery after the heavy rains during the week and the teams’ needed to play for field position.

SACS kicked poorly out of hand and were unable to establish territorial dominance. Rondebosch put together some good passages of play and were rewarded with two penalties converted by centre Darryn Berry. SACS had three long range penalty attempts, which in the conditions they should have kicked to touch.

SACS did have the best opportunity of the half though as scrumhalf Shayne Otty found space in midfield and cut through the Rondebosch defence. With three men outside him he held on too long and his pass went astray, leaving the score at 6-0 to Rondebosch at the break.

SACS began the second half again stuck in their own territory. A speculative wiper kick was plucked from the hands of his opposite number by wing Dugald Robertson who ran 50 metres to score. Chad Moolman converted to give SACS a slender lead.

SACS made a hash of the kick-off though and immediately conceded a penalty, which was converted by Berry. Minutes later Bosch were again back on the offensive. From a lineout on the SACS 22-metre line they hit blind and chipped over the top. Flank Christiaan Bester showed great pace in outstripping the cover to gather and score. Berry did the necessary.

This shook SACS into action and they succeeded in obtaining a kickable penalty, which Moolman converted, to bring them within one score with ten minutes remaining. SACS were able to obtain field position for the final strike but floundered a number of opportunities with some poor option taking and selfishness.

Rondbosch celebrated at the final whistle as 2008 has been their year after SACS’s dominance over the last two seasons. With Wynberg beating Bishops, the Southern Suburb rivalries have reached fever pitch and things are nicely set up for the last two weeks of the season.

Scorers:

Ronderboscg Boys’ High School
Try: Christiaan Bester
Con:  Darryn Berry
Pens: Berry (3)

South African College High School
Try: Dugald Robertson
Con: Chad Moolman
Pen: Chad Moolman