Eager Border CD win

In the opening match of Day 2 at Craven week the Border Country Districts, who lost all three matches at the 2008 Craven Week, beat the Craven Week newcomers, the South African Learners with Special Educational Needs (SA LSEN) 17-5, scoring all their points in the wind-assisted first half.

A strong wind blew down the field in East London and Border Country Districts played with it in the first half and led 17-0 at the break. It could have been far more had their goal-kicking been nearly up to standard. They missed three penalty kicks at goal and two conversions, none all that difficult, but they did score three exciting tries against a side that outweighed them up front, despite the massive frame of Ramone Greeves at loosehead.

The LSEN team were heavier but Border Country Districts had more cohesion, which is hardly surprising as the LSEN had had just a week to prepare.  The Border Country Districts side scrambled brilliantly on defence and were more secure in the tackle than their opponents, both in making the tackle and in the post tackle, securing their own ball and winning many turnovers.

LSEN relied on their bigger forwards to maul the ball. It produced a try but for the most part the Border Country Districts were able to pull mauls down, once close to their own line. Their outside backs, who looked lively, but saw little of the ball as the forwards maul and the halfbacks found handling a problem.

Border Country Districts's backs were lively, especially fullback Athenkosi Mbongwe who was full of running, distinguished also by strange strapping that went from the crown of his head to under his chin.  He, Aphiwe Makala, flyhalf Mpumzi Rozani and Siyamthanda Mbanga caused LSEN a great deal of trouble, even against the wind in the second half when LSEN pounded at their line.

When lock Msawenkosi Tungela won their first line-out Border Country Districts went far left and Mbongwe cut clean through and raced some 40 metres to score. Mbanga converted. 7-0 after 10 minutes.

The second try came from some brilliant work by Rozani. From a line-out he took the ball up beyond his forwards and chipped. Centre Ntlahla Rala raced after the ball, snatched away from a defender and forced his way over, 12-0 after 27 minutes.

After Border Country Districts missed yet another kick at goal, LSEN dropped out low and short and Border Country Districts burst into life as Mbongwe raced down the left and gave a perfect pass inside to Makala. 17-0.

In the second half LSEN also missed penalty attempts and then tried tap-and-bash but the Border Country Districts were brave and won turnovers at crucial times.

The LSEN try  came from a line-out when flank Rohanne Botha caught, a maul formed and sturdy hooker Daniel Botha scored. Daniel Botha's throwing into the line-out was excellent.

LSEN dominated the half and came close but could add no more points, Gerhardus Wendt twice hitting the crossbar.

Scorers:

For Border Country Districts:
Tries: Mbongwe, Rala, Makala
Con: Mbanga

For SA LSEN:
Try: Daniel Botha

Teams:

Border Country Districts: Thuso Chalatsi (Jamangile), Chumani Dalasile (Dudmayo), Sihle Dumalisile (St John's), Odwa Fokazi (Ngangelizwe), Ramone Greeves (King Edward High), Aphiwe Makala (Dalibaso) (captain), Xola Makalima (Nomahea), Abonga Makapela (Nomahea), Lonwabo Makunga (Sibpukama), Andile Malusi (Maclear), Sibabalwe Manqana (Holy Cross), Siyamthanda Mbanga (Nomahea), Athenkosi Mbongwe (Zimele), Luzuko Mkhiwani (Dudumaso), Zalisekile Nobanda (CHB), Tulani Ntenteni (JS Skenjana), Sphathise Nyanda (Jamangile), Ntlahla Rala, Mpumzi Rozani, Loyiso Tshaka (Nomahea), Msawenkosi Tungela (Mthawelanga), Odwa Vakubi (Zingisa)

SA LSEN: 15 Morné Southey (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 14 Luciano Macello (Atlantis VS, Atlantis), 13 Silvin Pietersen (Weskus, Saldanha), 12 Pieter de Wet (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 11 Christiaan Kotze (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 10 Gerhardus Wendt (Jan Kriel, Bellville), 9 Allan Britz (Randeor, Alberton), 8 Hendrik Louwrens (Die Anker, Vanderbijlpark), 7 Rohanne Botha (Belvedere, Benoni), 6 Ewald Smith (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 5 Albert Taylor (Westcliff, Bellville), 4 Gerrit Malan (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 3 Pieter Grobler (Protea, Springs), 2 Daniel Botha (Prestasie, Germiston), 1 Stephanus Wessels (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 16 Jashwill Fredericks (Westcliff, Bellville), 17 Juan Hartzenberg (Kempton Panorama, Kempton Park), 18 Reghardt Burger (Jan Kriel, Kuilsrivier), 19 Freginald Africa (Nuwe Hoop, Worcester), 20 Tershwin Thantsie Westcliff, Bellville), 21 Lorenzo Jacobs (Paarl V/S, Paarl), 22 Eben Deysel (Fakkel, Sasolburg)

Referee: Lusanda Jam