Kingswood power to rugby victory over St Stithians

Kingswood College made it two wins out of two at the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival when they outgunned St Stithians 38-20 in their second match on the Kolisi Field in Gqeberha on Monday.

On Saturday the Makhanda side had been stretched to the limits by St Charles College before winning 22-19, but this time they exerted greater control to register a comfortable victory.

Grey High withstood a ferocious onslaught from an organised and slick Michaelhouse outfit to secure a 28-19 victory on the opening day of the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival on the Kolisi Field in Gqeberha on Saturday. The hosts trailed 19-15 at halftime but turned the match around after the break, dominating in the scrums, keeping their opponents scoreless in the second half and adding a converted try and two penalties to their tally. It brought to a conclusion an exciting day of schools rugby on the Kolisi Field and Pollock Oval, in which one of the highlights was a pulsating encounter between Graeme College and Kearsney, won 35-33 by the Graemians. Michaelhouse showed they meant business from the outset and clever tactical variations saw them cross for three tries in the first half through hooker Max Oliva, wing Laird Hamilton-Brown and flyhalf Jack Carmody. Carmody added two conversions but despite those impressive efforts, they were unable to pull away from the hosts, who were highly effective when they used their forwards in a series of drives near the Michaelhouse line. This enabled prop Juan Potgieter and Blake Parker to cross over, with flyhalf Nathan Trytsman adding a conversion and a penalty. After Trytsman added a second penalty early in the second half to bring them to within one point, Grey captain and centre Ciaran Killian scored arguably the try of the match. A smart backline move saw him cut through into space from 35 metres out, and although the Michaelhouse defence scrambled bravely, he was able to plant the ball over the whitewash as the home side took the lead for the first time, 25-19. Then came a crucial period of the game when Michaelhouse camped on the Grey line for several minutes, sending in wave after wave of attackers. Each time the home defence stood firm and eventually, when the visitors tried to spread it wide, they lost possession and Grey were able to counter-attack with a surge upfield. It almost resulted in a try at the other end, but Grey infringed and Michaelhouse were able to breathe again. From then, Grey controlled most of the play, winning several penalties from scrums, which kept Michaelhouse pinned in their half. From one of these, the hosts decided to kick for goal with two minutes to go and Likhona Nakani struck a superb penalty to virtually seal the victory. In an earlier game, Graeme and Kearsney showed plenty of adventure and skill as they battled constantly for supremacy in an encounter where the result hinged on the final kick of the match. Thanks to the deadly boot of skipper Erin Nelson, who slotted five conversions and also scored a try, Graeme led 35-33 with less than a minute remaining. A failed drop goal attempt saw Graeme take a 22-metre dropout, but one of their players infringed when he tackled a Kearsney player in the air. Flyhalf Daniel Miskey had kicked well all afternoon and although it wasn’t a straightforward opportunity, a shot at goal was well within his range. Unfortunately for his team, he pulled it just left and the referee blew the final whistle soon afterwards. In a thrilling start to the action on the Kolisi Field, Kingswood kept St Charles College at bay to win 22-19, being forced to hold on for victory in the dying moments. Leading 22-12, Kingswood conceded a try with three minutes to go when Bonga Nkosi barged his way over and the successful conversion gave them a chance to snatch the game out of the fire. They went immediately back onto the attack, but this time Kingswood were able to organise their defence properly and eventually turned over possession to win a scrum and kick the ball over the deadball line. Framesby had a good first half against Parel Vallei, leading 14-10 at the break, but then fell away completely to concede six tries in the second half as the Somerset West school romped to a 50-14 victory. Selborne and SACS had a humdinger, but the Cape Town side had just enough gas in the tank to register a 34-26 win, while Dale scored two intercept tries by scrumhalf Lukho Mzingaye to sink Pearson’s hopes 32-17. Down 32-5 at one stage, Pearson came back well in the latter stages, but the gap was too big, and they were left reflecting afterwards on what could have been had they not conceded those 14 points. The first team results on the opening day were: Kingswood 22 St Charles College 19 Graeme College 35 Kearsney 33 Daniel Pienaar 34 Hudson Park 34 Parel Vallei 50 Framesby 14 Drostdy 74 St Stithians 0 SACS 34 Selborne 26 Dale 32 Pearson 17 Rondebosch 42 Glenwood 22 Grey High 28 Michaelhouse 19 Monday’s first team fixtures are: Kolisi Field 8am: Pearson v Mzwandile Mali XV, 9.10: Kingswood v St Stithians; 10.25: SACS v Kearsney; 11.45: St Andrew’s v Michaelhouse; 12.55: Drostdy v Selborne; 14.05: Grey High v Glenwood; 15.25: Rondebosch v KES Pollock Oval 9.10: Parel Vallei v Hudson Park; 11.45: Graeme v St Charles; 15.25: Muir v Dale Note: A late change to the fixtures sees Pearson playing Mzwandile Mali XV at 8am, Selborne v Drostdy at 12.55, and Grey High against Glenwood at 14.05 on the Kolisi Field. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

St Stithians drew first blood on Monday with a penalty by Matthew Anderson, but Kingswood quickly got back into the game.

Inside centre Sam Dunne scored the first try of the match and there was nothing subtle about it as he took a pass on the 22-metre line and barged through to score.

Anderson then added two more penalties as Saints took a 13-12 lead into the break.

While blindside flank Josh Mackenzie delivered a top-notch performance on Saturday for Kingswood, his brother, right wing James, rose to the occasion on Monday, crossing for a brilliant hat-trick of tries.

His first two tries were scored from kicks ahead by scrumhalf Ryan O’Sullivan and centre Luniko Marivate, while the third came when he burst away from a maul 25-metres out to make sure of victory for his team.

Michaelhouse are relishing the opportunity to return to Gqeberha for the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival from Saturday to Monday (April 25 to 27) where they will once again test themselves against some of the Eastern Cape’s leading rugby schools. Head of rugby James Fleming said the KwaZulu-Natal outfit were highly motivated to renew acquaintances with hosts Grey High after last year’s dramatic clash ended in a 28-28 draw. “The squad are extremely excited to have another opportunity to play Grey on Kolisi Field again,” said Fleming. “Last year’s draw was one of mixed emotions. “We were well out of it, then fought our way back into the game and had a chance to win it, but unfortunately didn’t land the conversion. “We were proud to come so close to beating the hosts on their home ground, but also disappointed that we didn’t finish it off.” Michaelhouse will arrive with a strong core of returning players, with seven members of last year’s first XV squad back for another campaign. Those players are hooker Max Oliva, captain and prop Nicola Salamousas, lock Oli Vickery, eighthman Oliver Guy, flyhalf Jack Carmody, centre Alex Jankowitz and wing Laird Hamilton-Brown. Fleming said the side had also benefited from a refreshed coaching structure this season. Marco Engelbrecht has taken over as head coach, assisted by former EP Kings lock Cameron Lindsay and scrumhalf Josh Allderman, adding an Eastern Cape flavour to the management team. Michaelhouse have made an encouraging start to their season, winning four of their opening five matches. Victories over St Charles and Northwood were followed by two dramatic wins against Affies and Jeppe at the Pretoria Boys’ Festival, while their only defeat was a narrow 26-21 result against DHS in Durban. “The highlight of the season so far would have to be the win over Affies against all odds,” Fleming said. At the Grey High Festival, Michaelhouse face the hosts and St Andrew’s College in what Fleming expects to be two demanding encounters. “We expect both matches to be extremely competitive. Grey have a proud home record, especially at their festival, and we will have to be on song to get the better of them. “Knowing their coaches, we expect a very strong set-piece and territorial game. A real weapon for them will be their powerful maul, so we will have to deal with that. “They have also come off the back of some tough games over the past few weeks and will be desperate to start their festival with a win.” He added that St Andrew’s would present a different challenge. “They always bring a high-tempo, all-out attacking style of play and never go away, so they will pose a different threat. We also shared the Currey-Clark Cup last year after our draw in Makhanda, so we will want to win that back.” Fleming said the trip to the Eastern Cape was always one the school looked forward to. “We never need an excuse to tour the Eastern Cape. Grey must be one of the most beautiful schools in South Africa and Kolisi Field is a privilege to play on. “The hospitality is always top drawer and we enjoy competing against these schools.” The first team fixtures for the festival are: April 25 Kolisi Field 9.10: Kingswood v St Charles; 10.25: Graeme v Kearsney; 11.45: Parel Vallei v Framesby; 12.55: SACS v Selborne; 14.05: Glenwood v Rondebosch; 3.25: Grey High v Michaelhouse Pollock Oval 10.25: Daniel Pienaar v Hudson Park; 11.45: St Stithians v Drostdy; 2.05: Dale v Pearson; 3.25: Muir v Mzwandile Mali XV April 27 Kolisi Field 8am: Pearson v Drostdy; 9.10: Kingswood v St Stithians; 10.25: SACS v Kearsney; 11.45: St Andrew’s v Michaelhouse; 12.55: Glenwood v Selborne; 14.05: KES v Rondebosch; 3.25: Grey High v Pretoria Boys’ Pollock Oval 9.10: Parel Vallei v Hudson Park; 11.45: Graeme v St Charles; 2.05: Mzwandile Mali XV v Grey Unicorns; 3.25: Muir v Dale Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Grey High used the cohesion of their pack to grind out a tough 34-12 win over Glenwood in difficult conditions on the second and final day of the festival on the Kolisi Field in Gqeberha on Monday.

With a powerful westerly wind blowing down the field, neither side were able to produce the sort of running rugby for which they are renowned, and, in the end, it was the home side who managed the conditions better as they transformed a 17-5 halftime lead into the final victory.

After scoring three tries in the first half, they were able to starve their KwaZulu-Natal rivals of possession in the second period, when the visitors had the wind at the backs and a chance to dominate the territory stakes.

Instead, Grey employed a strong driving maul to send over Adam Fourie and Christopher Vosloo late in the game to put the final nails in the Glenwood coffin.

A compelling clash awaits when Pretoria Boys High School take on hosts Grey High at the Standard Bank Grey Rugby Festival this month, with both sides eager to build on a growing and competitive rivalry. This annual rugby extravaganza takes place in Gqeberha on April 25 and 27, with the two sides bringing the curtain down with the final match on the Monday at 3.25pm. The fixture has become one of mutual respect, with the Pretoria outfit highlighting the strong bond between the two traditional rugby schools. “We look forward to the festival each year,” said Romeo Matsolo, a member of the coaching staff. “Grey High and Pretoria Boys have a lot in common. “We share similar values and both schools focus on developing the holistic learner, not just academic performance. We’ve built a strong relationship and hope to expand our fixtures beyond just the first team.” Pretoria Boys High will play just the one match at the festival, having also committed to a King Price Derby clash against Kingswood College earlier in the week. “We are only playing one fixture at the festival as we are also involved in a derby against Kingswood, so we decided to limit our programme,” he explained. Last year’s encounter between these two sides was a tightly contested affair in Pretoria, and another close battle is expected. “It’s always an exciting clash when these schools meet,” Matsolo said. “When they visited us for our 125-year Easter Festival, they showed real strength up front and had very skillful backs. We play a similar style, so it should be a great contest.” Both teams will field relatively young combinations, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup. “Like Grey High, the majority of our squad is made up of U17 players. There isn’t a lot of experience, but there is exciting talent and plenty of potential for growth.” Pretoria Boys High have already had a few matches this season, with the coaching staff encouraged by their attacking ability, even if execution remains a work in progress. “The boys are still adapting to the intensity at this level, but one of the positives is that we are creating plenty of scoring opportunities,” Matsolo said. “The next step is converting those chances more consistently, and we are confident that will come.” With their captain sidelined through injury, leadership responsibilities will fall to senior figures in the squad, including head boy and inside centre Ruan Leonard, who is expected to play a key role in the midfield. Grey will open their festival programme against KwaZulu-Natal rivals Michaelhouse, with whom they fought out a 28-28 thriller in the corresponding match last year. Both sides will be hoping to set the tone for the festival with a top-class performance on the Kolisi Field at 3.25pm on the Saturday. With these proud rugby schools, youthful squads, and a shared attacking mindset, the encounter promises to be an entertaining highlight of the Standard Bank Grey Festival.

Earlier in the half, scrumhalf Ryan Swarbrick delivered the Durban side a big blow when he took the ball from a maul about 20-metres out and darted through a gap to beat the cover defence for a brilliant try.

That made it 22-5 and although fullback Rosco Williams crossed for a wonderful effort after a breakout from the halfway line, Glenwood could not penetrate the solid Grey defence easily.

In the first half, flank Cole Bennett scored twice and wing Noah Mbizi once, all through driving mauls.

Graeme College delivered one of the standout performances of the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival as they powered their way to a memorable 39-26 victory over Bishops, inspired by a sensational four-try display from fullback Lucritia Magau. In a high-tempo encounter, Graeme showed both attacking flair and resilience, with captain Erin Nelson directing play superbly from midfield. The Makhanda side looked dangerous throughout, but it was Magau who proved the decisive figure, repeatedly carving through the Bishops’ defence. The match reached a dramatic climax in the closing stages. With Graeme leading 34-26 and Bishops mounting sustained pressure in search of a late comeback, the outcome hung in the balance. Bishops’ ability to retain possession and build phases suggested they could snatch victory. However, Graeme’s defence held firm at a critical moment when a forward managed to rip the ball free. The loose ball bounced kindly, and within seconds it was in Magau’s hands. From inside his own 22, the electric fullback set off on a stunning 80-metre run, weaving through defenders before diving over in the corner to seal a famous win and complete his fourth try of the match. Other tries came from the potent Nelson, who burst past defenders in midfield, and alert scrumhalf Luke Doyle from an interception. Nelson added three conversions and a penalty. Earlier in the festival, Kingswood College recovered from a slow start to overpower St David’s Marist 40-5. After a tentative opening, Kingswood found their rhythm and ran in six tries in a commanding display. Kungawo Badli produced the moment of the match with a scintillating long-range effort, sprinting more than half the length of the field for his try. The Mackenzie twins, Josh and James, also played influential roles, with James finishing off a clever attacking move that caught the opposition defence off guard. Additional tries came from Junior Ndlazi, Sithenkosi Qabaka, Ross Thompson and Ryan O’Sullivan, while Christopher Zimmerman was reliable with the boot, adding five conversions. Graeme College began their impressive run with a dominant performance against St Benedict’s, running in 10 tries in a one-sided contest. Their dangerous backline once again took centre stage, with Nelson, Magau and scrumhalf Doyle combining effectively and accounting for the majority of the tries. Further scores were added by lock Andrew Muir and Hunta van Zyl, while Nelson contributed five conversions and Doyle chipped in with one. Kingswood, meanwhile, were involved in a hard-fought clash against Monument but ultimately fell short, going down 43-27 despite a spirited effort. The Herald

Meanwhile, St Andrew’s and Selborne suffered tough defeats on the final day. St Andrew’s went down to Michaelhouse 41-5 and the East London team were outclassed by Drostdy 67-12.

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