Last Friday, the Rhodes 1st XV played a friendly against Border College 1sts in East London, with the home team bringing off a resounding 22-3 victory.
Last Friday, the Rhodes 1st XV played a friendly against Border College 1sts in East London, with the home team bringing off a resounding 22-3 victory.
Border started positively with a rousing war cry and kicked off full of confidence. Rhodes put up a weak defence at first and, when Border pushed hard, they were quickly rewarded with two tries in the first fifteen minutes – both of which they converted. Despite rallying slightly to prevent any further score, Rhodes had no come back and it was 14 – 0 at half time.
After the break, Rhodes were eager to prevent a rerun of the first half and, initially, upped their game, keeping the action tantalisingly close to the try line and coming within centimetres of scoring ten minutes in.
However, Border’s formidable defence held them back, but not before they had given away a penalty – successfully kicked by Rhodes to give them their first – and only – points of the game. Border overcame Rhodes' rally to score another try, but failed to convert it, giving them a 19 – 3 lead with a few minutes to go.
Though Rhodes consistently gave it their all, Border managed to round off a well-deserved win with a penalty kick-over, bringing them to their final winning score of 22 points to 3.
After the game, Rhodes coach, Qondakele Sompondo, reminded the team that, despite a weak defence at the beginning, they had played well and that their focus should now be on the next practise and winning the next game.
sport@grocotts.co.za
