The St Andrew’s College rugby firsts found themselves in a nail-biting encounter against Hoërskool Brandwag in Uitenhage last Saturday, after both first teams came into the match with high spirits and fresh memories of some good wins so far this season.
The St Andrew’s College rugby firsts found themselves in a nail-biting encounter against Hoërskool Brandwag in Uitenhage last Saturday, after both first teams came into the match with high spirits and fresh memories of some good wins so far this season.
The match was played in cold and windy conditions and St Andrew’s captain Sintu Manjezi won the toss and chose to play into the stiff wind.
The first half didn’t start as planned for St Andrew’s as they were trapped in their half, thanks to an outstanding kicking display from Brandwag. On attack St Andrew’s lacked patience, which only added to their woes as they handed over possession too easily.
Brandwag were first to score thanks to a great chip over the top, followed by another good backline move and finish by their fullback. Brandwag raced into a 12-0 lead.
St Andrew’s slowly found their feet but were still making a number of errors in attack. Just before half-time St Andrew’s conceded a crucial penalty, which Brandwag converted, giving them a 15-0 lead going into half-time.
The second half was a complete contrast to the first with St Andrew’s attacking early and applying the pressure they failed to do earlier. Attack after attack was repelled by the Brandwag defence, but the pressure eventually paid off as Ryan Horne sliced through the defence, narrowing the lead to 15-7.
St Andrew’s went straight back onto the attack. Matt Andrews and Tom Filmer showed some great skill to allow Ethan Fortuin to finish in the corner. Horne converted and suddenly St Andrew’s were back in the game 15-14, with 13 minutes to play.
St Andrew’s were dominating possession and field position but Brandwag weren’t done and managed to kick a key penalty, stretching their lead to 18-14. Just as it seemed St Andrew’s were destined not to score again, Manjezi was rewarded for a brave decision, electing to scrum from a penalty, and the ball was sent wide by Fortuin, allowing fullback Courtney Archer to score in the corner and College to take the lead for the first time in the match 19-18.
St Andrew’s held on bravely to their one-point lead in the last five minutes, recording a satisfying win against the Brandwag side that played exceptional rugby on the day too.
