By Chesley Daniels
PJ Olivier High School hosted a highly successful Sports Day against Linkside High from Gqeberha on 29 July at the school’s sports grounds. Both rugby and netball first teams were victorious against their competitive counterparts.
PJ 1ST XV VS LINKSIDE 1ST XV
In cold, wet, and rainy conditions on Saturday, both teams came out guns blazing in extremely difficult conditions especially competing on a wet surface. The weather didn’t affect the determined rugby players who came very hard at each other, and executed some brutal tackles. Tears were even rolling down the faces of the emotional players. It was an emotional win for PJ as this was their first win for the 1st XV in what has been a difficult and challenging season for them.
The home side were pumped up from the kickoff and were up for the task against the bigger Linkside outfit. The smaller forwards of PJ matched their bigger counterparts and played very well together as a unit. PJ is known for their skillful and speedy backline players who are small in size, and they pulled the rabbit out of the hat and performed out of their skins. The home side backs played with sheer determination at the back and gave the ball a lot of air out wide. Winger Kieran Frans scored the only two tries for PJ while vice-captain CJ Saterdag converted one try. The hardworking forwards of PJ also produced some craftwork and complemented each other well in the park.
In the end, PJ fought very hard for a well-earned 12-7 win over a decent and strong Linkside team.
RUGBY RESULTS:
PJ 1st (12-7) Linkside
PJ U/15 (17-0) Linkside
PJ U/13 (69-0) Capstone
PJ U/11 (5-25) Oatlands
PJ U/9 (0-5) Capstone
NETBALL RESULTS:
PJ 1st (23-10) Linkside
PJ U/16 (2-12) Linkside
PJ U/15 (11-3) Linkside
PJ U/13 (10-0) Capstone
(PJ Olivier Reunion Sports Day will take place on 12 August against Port Alfred High School).