By Chesley Daniels
The June 16 Youth Day match at the Oval saw Kowie United’s dismal run in the EPRU SEDRU Regional League continue. They slumped to a 12-40 bonus point defeat at the hands of hosts Old Collegians (OC). The OC home side was also comfortably in front at changeover, leading 19-5.
The vital bonus point win saw OC moved up to second position on the log table, nine points behind log leaders Swallows. Kowie still find themselves second last on the log with five defeats in the first round of the competition.
FIRST HALF
It was a very physical and open game, played in a very good spirit, which saw both teams coming hard at each other. It was a high intensity affair as both teams gave the ball some air out wide. United’s defence let them down at times as OC took their chances with the ball in hand and put points on the board. The visitors had a few scoring opportunities but could not finish matters off as a result of enforced errors. OC made it count in their favour which resulted in panic from the Ndlambe side.
OC’s skilful backline was on song and took full control of matters, with the class of Sethu Pinini providing the spark at the back. OC scored three first half tries while United contributed one. This handed the home side a healthy 19-5 lead at the break.
SECOND HALF
Since returning from the change room after the break, a more determined OC side took to the field with only one thing on their mind: to score the bonus point try and to win at all costs. College forwards led by Siyamthanda Wambi and Khanyisa Solomon took the ball up to the opponents with the utmost urgency. United pulled things back for a while, and their speedy and skilful backs looked pretty dangerous with the little possession on offer.
They were unlucky not to score more tries after mistakes crept in and prevented them from building the much needed momentum they so desperately required at that stage. OC in particular, were very effective in broken play and scored a few tries from there. United’s sloppy defences allowed the home side to score unnecessary tries. In the end, OC proved too strong for the visitors and ran in six tries to register a comprehensive 40-12 win over the struggling Kowie side.
POINTS FOR OC:
TRIES: Sethu Pinini (2), Luvuyo Papu, Athini Gagayi, Bulelani Tambo
CONVERSIONS: Papu (3), Siyabonga Mahapi (3)
POINTS FOR KOWIE:
TRIES: Andley Jones, Johnny Hilpert
CONVERSION: Zenevon Denston
MAN OF THE MATCH
College’s classy backline player, Sethu Pinini, was voted the Grocott’s Mail/Daniels MEDIA Man of the Match for his brilliant performance. Since he came back from a lengthy injury, the outside back has brought stability and calmness to the OC young skilful backs and controls matters on the field with his master brain. He scored two fine tries and was solid on defence and brilliant on attack.
