Kingswood College came back from 24-10 down to edge Michaelhouse 29-24 in their opening game of the Bishops Independent Schools Rugby Festival.

Kingswood College came back from 24-10 down to edge Michaelhouse 29-24 in their opening game of the Bishops Independent Schools Rugby Festival.

In what was their first game since the K-Day win over St. Andrew's on 18 June, Kingswood drew first blood through an Esona Mrwetyana try. Weston Potgieter, who took kicking duties throughout the game, failed to convert.

Michaelhouse responded by taking control of the game, grabbing a penalty and two converted tries to lead 17-5.

However, Mrwetyana restored hope for Kingswood before half-time when he charged clear from inside his own half, sidestepping through the Michaelhouse defence to score a sensational try. Potgieter's conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Kingswood went into the break 17-10 down, and soon had that deficit doubled by another converted try from Michaelhouse.

Just when all hope seemed gone, the comeback started. Lebo Nkone grabbed a try for Kingswood, and although Potgieter failed to convert again, the game was well and truly back on.

Ewan Pieters grabbed another try for the Grahamstown side shortly afterwards. This time, Potgieter made no mistake. If Kingswood scored again, they would take the lead.

Those final points came in the dying embers of the game, when Siba Mzanywa crashed over and sealed the win. Potgieter's conversion was the cherry on top of the cake.

Scorers

Kingswood: Tries: Esona Mrwetyana (2); Lebo Nkone; Ewan Pieters; Siba Mzanywa

Conversions: Weston Potgieter (2)

Michaelhouse: Tries: Kuhle Khumalo; Oliver Calvert-Evers; Armin Prinsloo

Penalties: Will Glassock

Conversions: Will Glassock (3)

*Like Grocott's Mail Sport for post-match comments and more news from the festival in Cape Town.

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