Muir and Graeme in close tussle
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:52
There is no place to hide at schoolboy level in South Africa
Muir ended the season in beating traditional rivals Graeme 26-24 during a physical encounter in Grahamstown over the weekend. The Muir side was marginally in front, 8-7 at the break.
The hosts used their forwards and bulldozed their way over the try-line to put the first points on the board, hooker Tyrone Rankin scored the try. Graeme’s fly-half A. Banfield kicked the conversion. Muir soon replied with an opportunistic try when scrumhalf Lulama Mkwakwi chipped over the ruck and wing Neo Mehlwana dotted down in the corner.
Both sided defended well during the remainder of the half and the only points came off the boot of centre Shane Gates which allowed the visiting Muir side to take the lead.
Hooker Jason Thomas scored Muir’s second try after continues pressure by the visitors to get into Graeme’s 22-metre area and a collected a well placed kick by Gates. Graeme replied with right wing Jonathan Nunn scoring after a well worked move. Banfield kicked the conversion.
Gates regained the lead for Muir in kicking his second penalty. Centre Lisa Banzi extended Muir’s lead after he broke through Graeme’s defensive line, played his support runners and did some hard work to collect a grubber-kick and put the ball under the poles. Gates kick the conversion. Graeme’s Banfield kicked a penalty to narrow the lead. The hosts took the lead when outside centre Aubrey Mpongoma crossed the line, Banfield successfully kicked his third conversion.
A back and forth battled continued for the last five minutes and each side defended manfully to keep the opposition out of their 22 meter area. Continues pressure by the Muir side resulted in Graeme giving away a penalty and Gates capitalised to kick his third penalty and seal the victory.
Mention must be made of Thabang Holejane, Sivie Moyake, Shane Gates, Lulama Mkwakwi, Simamkela Maqakaza, Andrew Ingram, Lwnado Vabaza, Pumelela Ndongeni, Jason Thomas and Marzuq Maarman who wore the Muir jersey with pride and were hugely instrumental in the victory.
Scorers:
For Muir:
Tries: Neo Mehlwana, Jason Thomas, Lisa Banzi
Cos: Shane Gates
Pens: Shane Gates 3
For Graeme:
Tries: Tyrone Rankin, Jonathan Nunn, Aubrey Mpongoma
Cons: Alex Banfield 3
Pen: Alex Banfield
By Lyntin Gouws
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