Graeme College’s final game of the season took place last Saturday, when they took on Muir College in the second year of the Buco Challenge.
Graeme College’s final game of the season took place last Saturday, when they took on Muir College in the second year of the Buco Challenge.
Graeme, the defending champions of the floating trophy, reclaimed the silverware in a clumsy display from both sides, with a final score of 21-14. The Buco Challenge was founded last year by Joel Katz, Buco branch manager in Uitenhage.
“We thought it would be a fun event for everyone involved. Muir and Graeme are both very similar schools in size and in rugby, so we thought a floating trophy between the two schools would be a great development. It is mainly for the fun of the day, more than anything else,” said Katz.
Both teams attempted to run the ball from all over the park, but unfortunately handling errors remained a disappointing feature throughout. The game’s first points came through a penalty by Graeme’s Bradley Christian, who slotted the ball over the crossbar. Muir attempted to reply, but Ruben De Vos’s place-kick was denied by the wind. Graeme College then extend their lead after fly-half and Captain, Sethu Pinini, set out on a dazzling run through the heart of the Muir defence as he brushed off four defenders and dived over the whitewash. Christian converted his try comfortably.
Muir College’s Lunathi Nexe then produced his own individual brilliance as he grubbered the ball down the line before collecting it and scoring in the corner. De Vos converted the try with ease. The Muir College supporters erupted in song and cheers as their team now seemed back in the game. Christian then slotted another penalty to widen the gap. Graeme hooker, Uzu Nyanda, scored his maiden try for the season in his starting début.
The game descended into scraps after Muir’s ‘Mzi’ Mzigoba chased a kick up-field and made a beeline for Nyanda, who placed himself for the catch. Mzigoba made a massive early hit on the hooker and was briskly shown a yellow card for his transgression. More controversy ensued as Lwazi Baleni was sent to the sin bin after being identified as the ring-leader of a scrap.
With the lack of support at the break-down after Baleni’s dismissal, De Vos was able to make a dash from the side of the ruck and score under the posts. Muir College Coach, Lyntin Gouws, rued missed opportunities on the day and conceded the better side had claimed victory. Graeme College coach Kevin Watson said it was a great way to end off the season.
“Our guys really put their bodies on the line today and it paid off. The team worked well together, was captained excellently [by Pinini]and was a pleasure to coach,” he said.
