Queen's College beat Cambridge
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:54
Queen's College flyhalf Joshua Stander slots a kick
Queen's College beat a brave Cambridge High School 43-7 in East London this past Saturday. Cambridge has over the decades developed a reputation for fielding big, brutish, uncompromising players who seldom stand back for any opponent even when the odds are stacked against them.
They have perfected the knack of sniffing for an opportunity and holding on like Jack Russell's would a fluffy toy. The Queen's College First XV were made to work hard for this result, but will be satisfied with the amount character they showed in what proved to be a challenging fixture.
The first half ran according to script with Queen's College scoring in the third minute of the game through a try by outstanding lock, Siya Makohliso. Flyhalf Joshua Stander converted. The visitors continued to score tries at regular intervals and most of the credit must go to the players who displayed some outstanding skills.
However, their opposition did provide them with oodles of space in which to run and seemed reluctant to make the tackles that count. Johan Meyer (13th minute), Khaya Malotana (15th minute), Solanga Maholwana (17th minute) and Stander (24th minute) all got onto the scoreboard in the first-half with Stander successfully converting two of the tries.
The Queen's College forwards were outstanding in providing a solid foundation for their more glamorous and silky backs to run. Queen's College were deserved 31-0 leaders going into the break.
The second half started just like the first with Queen's College scoring within the first two minutes through a try by Craven Week hooker, Sihle Gogela, Stander failed to convert. Cambridge then pounced on a Queen's College mistake and scored a morale-boosting try, two minutes later, through left wing Sihle Charlie. Cambridge captain and flyhalf Philasande Mphahlwa converted.
The Men from East London then dug in their heels and played some good rugby. They tackled well and forced Queen's College into making elementary mistakes. The men from Queenstown were simply to lose and lost a lot of their structure and in doing so gave the Cambridge men a platform in which to remain competitive. Matthew Eales restored some sanity when he scored under the poles with 10 minutes remaining, JP Smith converted.
Queen's College play their final game of the season with a mouth-watering fixture against Dale College in King William's Town. The Men from Queenstown won the first round fixture at home, but Dale College have beaten many a good side in King William's Town this season with Selborne College being their most treasured scalp.
Dale College will know that they will have to be at their absolute best to reverse their recent fortunes against Queen's College.
The visitors are currently on a nine-game winning streak and will want to add to that impressive record. If you're a fan of schoolboy rugby then get to the CB Jennings Field in King William's on Saturday afternoon because this will be a must-see fixture.
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