St Andrew's captain Robin Murray scored the winning try in the last minute of a game on Saturday that up till then had looked like it was safely in the hands of King William’s Town’s Dale College.
St Andrew's came into the game with a low win ratio, having suffered 11 defeats in their 17 outings so far this year.
St Andrew's captain Robin Murray scored the winning try in the last minute of a game on Saturday that up till then had looked like it was safely in the hands of King William’s Town’s Dale College.
St Andrew's came into the game with a low win ratio, having suffered 11 defeats in their 17 outings so far this year.
“It’s been a tough year, but you know, College boys always bounce back,” said coach Simon Holderness before the match. Deep into the second half, Dale were comfortably ahead with two converted tries, St Andrew's having registered a solitary penalty on the board, off the boot of flyhalf Ntsiki Mlamleli.
Their hard-working forwards already had the air of defeat about them, subdued and looking resigned to an inevitable loss. Their visiting counterparts were crossing the advantage with ease and threatening to kill off the game with another score.
Like two interchangeable units, the Dale backline would take over the menace – sidestepping, goose-stepping, popping, flicking and carrying out all kinds of trickery. Although favour and momentum constantly swung between the teams, at the end it was the very sober way that St Andrew's went about their business that won them the match.
Their defence stood firm and they did not allow Dale to score a third try. In addition, they took Dale on up front and won many breakdowns. Most tellingly, the hosts stole a few of the visitors’ line-outs. St Andrew's determination to score a try showed throughout the match.
They passed on several opportunities to convert kickable penalties. Had they lost the match those decisions would have been interpreted differently. Many would have favoured converting the points on offer.
But they didn’t and that is what was brilliant about their play – when things looked bleak, they stuck to their game plan and the will to score. The first St Andrew's try came with only 10 minutes left on the clock, when eighth man Stuart Stopforth rounded up a number of patient phases by the forwards, dotting the score in the corner. Mlamleli converted.
With the hooter gone, and Dale leading 14–10, the visitors were kind enough to kick possession into the hands of the home side. Suddenly the mood changed, supporters were on their feet, and the tension was palpable. St Andrew's ran the ball from their own 22, in what can only be described as a fairy tale ending, for the victory try.
Relieved St Andrew's supporters swamped the field at the final whistle, to celebrate a very sweet victory. The mood in the bus back to King William's Town must have been bitter for the visitors, after losing a match that was seemingly in the bag.
Other team results were as follows: St Andrew's vs Dale at home 8th St Andrew's 26 – Dale 21 7th 40-0; 6th 36-19 5th 66-7 14b 5-43 15b 35-0 14a 7-57 15a 21-10 4th 50-12 3rd 23-16 2nds 50-22 1st15-14
