Nathaniel Nyaluza's first rugby side played Mary Waters firsts during Nyaluza's 75th anniversary celebrations. While a number of celebrations took place at the school and other venues around town, there were sporting activities at the Oval on Saturday 31 August.
Nathaniel Nyaluza's first rugby side played Mary Waters firsts during Nyaluza's 75th anniversary celebrations. While a number of celebrations took place at the school and other venues around town, there were sporting activities at the Oval on Saturday 31 August.
The morning saw a number of indigenous sporting events taking place. It was then on to the rugby matches, with both first and second teams in action.
While Nyaluza looked promising in the first half, taking a 20-8 lead at the break, they did not have any answers for the determined Mary Waters side in the second half. Alexius Walters opened the scoring for Mary Waters with an unconverted try.
Nyaluza applied some pressure and this led Mary Waters to make some unforced errors. This resulted in two penalty kicks for Nyaluza who took their lead to 6-5.
Nyaluza dominated proceedings for the remainder of the second half ad they scored two converted tries, taking their lead to 20-5.
Siyabonga Mahapi kicked over a penalty for Mary Waters as the first half ended 20-8 to Nyaluza. The second half saw the Mary Waters side playing with more determination, the back line enjoying more running rugby. Captain Jaco Buys scored the first try in the second half.
Mary Waters played much of the second half in the Nyaluza half, but some good defence kept Mary Waters from scoring. With time running out, pressure from Mary Waters eventually saw Jerome Blauw score a well-earned try after a storming run.
Mahapi converted the kick as the scores were levelled. Either team could have won the game, with Nyaluza missing a penalty kick and Mary Waters opting to run the ball instead of kicking at poles for their three points.
They drew at 20 points.
