Exciting start to 2011 Craven Week

Craven Week got off to an entertaining, intensely interesting day of schools rugby.

The highlights were the upset that started the tournament, the smooth skills of the Free Staters in a match of lavish try-scoring and then the intensely close contest to finish.

The individual highlight of the day was undoubtedly the performance of Pieter Jordaan with his four tries.

Results, Day One:

Blue Bulls vs Boland, 50-15
Free State vs Pumas, 56-32
Namibia vs Leopards, 40-19
SWD vs Griquas, 23-19
Valke vs EP Country Districts, 42-15

Fixtures, Day Two:

10.25: Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts
11.45: Griffons vs Limpopo
13.05: Golden Lions vs Eastern Province
14.25: Western Province vs KwaZulu Natal
15.45: Griquas Country Districts vs Border

All the Day One reports from Kimberley:

Namibia vs Leopards, 40-19

Rodney Bonaparte, not the Corsican corporal but a referee from the Eastern Province, blew the first whistle and little Lou Rickerts of Dr Lemmer school in Reheboth, kicked off to start the 2011 Craven Week on the patchy field in Kimberley.

From the start the much smaller but much livelier Namibians dominated the match. The Leopards had bigger players at flyhalf and fullback than the Namibians had in their pack.

Lou Rickerts who had kicked off scored the first points at the 2011 Craven Week - an easy penalty in a match of few penalties. 3-0 after 19 minutes. The Leopards counterrucked to good effect but they were far behind in the possession and territory stakes.

There were some good breaks early on - especially by centre Janco Venter of Namibia and Henco Marais of the Leopards - that should have led to tries. Then there was a long run by the powerful Namibian eighthman John Schickerling that should have produced a try but he backed himself and was smashed to earth by the big Leopards fullback Adriaan Esterhuizen.

Namibia scored the first try when good passing put speedy left wing Donovan Kandjii over for a try. 8-0 after 21 minutes. That became 15-0 when centre Divan Visser burst through, ran to the fullback and sent Pieter Cronjé round to the posts. 15-0 after 23 minutes.

At this stage it seemed that Namibia would run away with the match but the big Leopards went upon pick-'n-drive and the captain Wynand Bosman bashed over. 15-7 after 26 minutes.

This did not herald a new dawn for the Leopards. Riekert dropped a goal to make the score 18-7 at the break and then early in the second half the Namibians attacked at speed and Daniël Arries charged down an attempt at clearance and scored. Rickerts kicked a penalty and the Namibians led 28-12 after 49 minutes.

The Leopards were close to the Namibia line when they lost the ball. John Schickerling picked up and hoofed downfield. Pieter Cronjé chased. The ball sat up in kindly fashion and Cronjé streaked away for a try at the posts.

After two penalties in quick succession the Leopards attacked and Esterhuizen burst over. The light-footed Namibians came back on the attack and Arries ended the match with a short plunge over the line.

The scorers:

For Namibia:
Tries: Kandjii, Pieter Cronjé 2, Daniël Arries 2
Cons: Lou Rickerts 2, Denver Murorua
Pens: Rickerts 2
DG: Rickerts

For the Leopards:
Tries: Wynand Bosman, Herman Smith, Adriaan Esterhuizen
Cons: Esterhuizen 2

The teams:

Leopards: 15 Adriaan Esterhuizen, 14 Pakamani Maganga, 13 Hermanus Smith, 12 Ryno Pienaar, 11 Joacobus Groenewald, 10 Henco Marais, 9 Jan de Kock, 8 Sias Koen, 7 Claude Tshidibi, 6 Petrus Bredell, 5 Kyle Brock, 4 Wynand Bosman, 3 Melchior Terblanche, 2 Jonathan de Melim, 1 Reginald Standers.
Replacements: Leopards 16 Francois Annandale, 17 Jacobus Myburgh, 18 Lian Stander, 19 Moena Monese, 20 Bouke Tack, 21 Misile Barnes, 22 Gontse Shwabane.

Namibia: 15 Denver Murorua, 14 Pieter Cronje, 13 Divan Visser, 12 Daniel Arries (captain), 11 Donavan Kandjii, 10 Lou Rickerts, 9 Carel Thomas, 8 John Schickerling, 7 Frans van Staden, 6 Dian Wiese, 5 Jean-Pierre Grobler, 4 Janco Venter, 3 Gert-David Orlam, 2 Gert Lotter, 1 Quintin Esterhuizen.
Replacements: 16 Hermanus Vermaak, 17 Charles Smit, 18 Nicolaas Nortje, 19 BrandonKuzatjike, 20 Ashton Nash, 21 Zhivago Groenewald, 22 Ethan Beukes.

Referee: Rodney Bonaparte
Assistant referees: Dilbert November, Local
Television match official: Stefan Geldenhuys

Valke vs Eastern Province Country Districts, 42-15

It was not just the wind which was behind the Valke in the first half. which they ended leading 14-0 from two tries. Into the wind in the second half they went even further ahead. They were two strong up front with a overrule front row and they had too much energy for the Eastern Province side. At one stage Zubin Baartman of the Eastern Province side had a promising run down the left wing but there was no way he was going to get past five Valke, not when he had no support at all.

The Eastern Province Country Districts had their chances but the Valke defence was determined.

It took the Valke a while to get going but when they did they reaped the tries - six of them, all converted by fullback Warren Potgieter.

Both Valke centres were big and fast. Jako Roodt sparked the first try with a long break and scored the last one with a sharp break. The first break saw Andrew van Tonder over and then prop Jaco Cronjé got the try. He and his hooker DJ Oosthuizen were most impressive - both huge men but mobile and energetic. 7-0 after 28 minutes.

The second try was excellent as the Valke swept onto the attack with their excellent flyhalf Armand Peens racing down the left touchline and then passing a perfect pass inside to Tiaan Ramat who scored.

The TMO conformed the third try when in a tackle livewire scrumhalf Christiaan Meyer stretched in a tackle and score. After the Eastern Province side had goaled a penalty, the Valke used a penalty to form a line-out and then a maul and then a try for flank Johan van Tonder.

Jacques Nel had an astonishing run as he kept bursting through tackles before playing to Peens on the touchline. The flyhalf, chipped, gathered and scored in the left corner. Into the wind, from touch, Potgieter converted.

Eastern Province Country Districts, down 35-3 came back with two tries of their own, one when they swarmed on the attack and James Moore was over in the corner and the second when captain Richard van Straaten burst away from a ruck to score. But the Valke had the last stay as they went through their 'penalty, line-out, maul' routine. This time they gave to their backs and Roodt cut back to score.

The scorers:

For Eastern Province Country Districts:
Tries: James Moore, Richard van Straaten
Con: Ntsiki Mlamleli
Pen: Ntsiki Mlamleli

For Valke:
Tries: Jaco Cronje, Christiaan Meyer, Armand Peens, Tiaan Ramat, Jako Roodt, Johan van Tonder
Cons: Warren Portgieter 6

The teams:

EP Country Districts: 15 Ntsikelelo Mlamleli, 14 Juandre Fourie, 13 James Moore, 12 Lood de Jager, 11 Zubin Baartman, 10 Willem Venter, 9 Theunis Goosen, 8 Jeremia Oosthuizen, 7 Ayabonga Ngantweni, 6 Richard van Straaten (captain), 5 Chris Steyn, 4 Henfred Linde, 3 Edgar Fletcher, 2 Cornelius van Zyl, 1 Sean Koeberg.
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Rankin, 17 Dean Ferreira, 18 Mazel Kiewiets, 19 Anele Stuurman, 20 Nicholas Poone, 21 Gintsa Manqoyi, 22 Naldo Meyer.

Valke: 15 Warren Potgieter, 14 Keanu Roman, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Frederick Roodt, 11 Tiaan Ramat, 10 Armandt Peens, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Andrew van Tonder (captain), 7 Johan van Tonder, 6 David Oosthuizen, 5 Gerhardus Benade, 4 Thomas Esterhuizen, 3 Jacobus Cronje, 2 Adrian Oosthuizen, 1 Themba Mlangeni.
Replacements: 16 Petrus van Jaarsveldt 17 Stefan Steenberg 18 Ashley Sibisibi 19 Pontsho Madiba 20 Mbuso Fakude 21 Lecheko Mokoena 22 Ruan Grove.

Referee: Andrew Slater
Assistant referees: Pieter Janse van Vuuren, Lusanda Jam
Television match official: Gerrie de Bruin

Blue Bulls vs Boland, 50-15

The match confirmed the ancient rugby belief that a Good big 'un would always beat a good small 'un. The good big 'un got six tries to the little 'un's unconverted three. Had their handling been better it may well have been more though somehow it was Boland that seemed to get less than they deserved. The Bolanders, from 15 different schools, did not have size on their side nor were they as used to playing together as were the Waterkloof-laden Blue Bulls, but they did have a lot of enthusiasm.

Faf Tredoux opened the scoring with a penalty after a minute but then Boland struck with a try as Jason Kriel, with the left touchline at his elbow, powered past three defenders to score. But then Blue Bull power took over as Roelof Smit got the first of his two tries from a scrum and then there were two tries from long, long runs, the first by fullback Sean Robinson, the second by centre Janco Gunter. Just before half-time fullback Jacques Rossouw scored a neat try for Boland. At half-time the Blue Bulls led 22-10.

All; four of the Blue Bulls' tries in the second half were scored by forwards. Dayan van der Westhuizen got the first two - the second after a charge-down in in-goal. The third was scored when massive (123kg) prop came on a peel from a five-metre line-out. The last was scored by Smit who raced 40 metres.

In the mix there was a delightful try by Boland as little Ashlon Davids broke and passed perfectly to substitute Kobus Putter.

The scorers:

For Blue Bulls:
Tries: Janco Gunter, Sean Robinson, Roelof Smit 2, Daylan van der Westhuizen 2, Justin Forwood
Cons: Faf Tredoux 5
Pen: Tredoux

For Boland:
Tries: Jason Kriel, Koos Putter, Jacques Rossouw

The teams:

Boland: 15 Jacques Rossouw, 14 Arno Fortuin, 13 Gillmore Hektocr, 12 Anzo Stubbs, 11 Jason Kriel, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Marno Hart, 8 Ludio Williams, 7 Pieter de Wet, 6 Hendrik Uys (captain), 5 Gerhard de Wet, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Xander Kuys, 1 Ryal Neethling.
Replacements: 16 Floris Mostert, 17 Steven Robbeson, 18 Nicolin Carelse, 19 Clinton Ruiters, 20 Eben de Bod, 21 Kobus Putter, 22 Ryno Fortuin.

Blue Bulls: 15 Sean Robinson, 14 Olua Omba, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Janco Gunter, 11 Marcus Kleinbooi, 10 Francois Tredoux, 9 Carlo Engelbrecht, 8 Roelof Smit, 7 Sikhumbuzo Mabuza, 6 De Wet Meyer (captain), 5 Duren Fillies, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Morne du Plessis, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 17 Justin Forwood, 18 Christiaan de Bruin, 19 Patrick Mathe, 20 Irven Domingo, 21 Caswell Khoza, 22 Jermaine Kleinsmith.

Referee: François Groenewald
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Rodney Bonaparte
Television match official: Mlungiseleli Mdashe

Free State vs Pumas, 56-27

It was a try fest - 12 tries in all, and if you say the score in tries it was 7-5, which seems faireR to the willing Pumas than 56-27.

If you can pass you can play brilliant rugby. The Free State side can pass - quick and straight and orthodox and in front of the recipient. It is also true to say that a team that is used to playing as a team will beat a team of good individuals. The Free State team, with their dominant Grey College component, are a team and they looked a team, finding each other by instinct.

They had the great advantage of a quick and accurate service from the scrum to three brilliant inside backs - flyhalf Pieter Jordaan who scored four tries, Jan Serfontein who scored a try and the captain Dries Swanepoel who made tries.

By half-time Free State led 22-15. Great passing gave François Pretorius a chance to score in the right corner but then a well-worked move gave big lock Willem du Plessis a chance to burst clean through for a try at the posts. 10-7 to Free State.

When Serfontein went close it presented Jordaan with the first of his tries but still the Pumas came back as Kwagga Smith broke from a ruck, ran over a Free Stater and scored. It was a great show of strength and made the score 17-15 as the Puma goalkicking was awry. From a turnover well inside Free State territory Jordaan broke and played inside to Serfontein who scored.

The excellent Puma flanks, Reinard Griesel and Kwagga Smith, combined to set up a try for massive Ivan Gouws.

This did not trouble Free State who came back with trues by Jordaan and Strumpher and it was 39-20.

The Pumas battered and Jan Visser scored and so Free State again responded with two tries, the first by Serfontein when clever running and footwork by Swanepoel took out four defenders. Anele Blaauw ended the scoring in an entertaining match - entertaining despite a plethora of penalties.

The scorers:

For Free State:
Tries: Pieter Jordaan 4, François Pretorius, Jan Serfontein, Jannie Strumpher
Cons: Strumpher 5
Pens: Strumpher 3

For Pumas:
Tries: Jacques du Plessis, Ivan Gouws, Kwagga Smith, Jan Visser, Anele Blaauw
Cons: Tyrone Pienaar, Kobus Wolmarans
Pen: Pienaar

The teams:

Free State: 15 Wihan Lombard, 14 Francois Pretorius, 13 Dries Swanepoel (captain), 12 Jan Lodewyk Serfontein, 11 Ruwellyn Miguel Isbell, 10 Pieter Jordaan, 9 Nhlanhla Hlongwane, 8 Jacob Immelman, 7 Leneve Damens, 6 Henco Greyling, 5 Gerhardus Olivier, 4 Thuso Chalatsi, 3 Johann Fouche, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Kwena Moremi.
Replacements: 16 Frans Jordaan, 17 Philip Botha, 18 Hendrik-Schalk Theron, 19 Mosoeu Maruping, 20 Mualaba Mukendi, 21 Arnoldus Vosloo, 22 Jannie Strumpher.

Pumas: 15 Niel Meyer, 14 Wandile Nkosi, 13 Tyrone Pienaar, 12 Werner Kok, 11 Anele Blaauw, 10 Gysbert du Plessis, 9 Jacobus Wolmarans, 8 Markus Janse van Rensburg, 7 Reinard Griesel (captain), 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Willem du Plessis, 4 Daniël Bekker, 3 Ivan Gouws, 2 Chris Boshoff, 1 Rohan Raath.
Replacements: 16 Hamish Herd, 17 Jan Visser, 18 Divan Swart, 19 Gerrit Engelbrecht, 20 Lindokuhle Matsinya, 21 Phumlani Radebe, 22 Mpumelelo Gina.

Referee: Lusanda Jam
Assistant referees: Gerrie de Bruin, Andy Slater
Television match official: Dilbert November

South Western Districts vs Griquas, 23-19

This was the only really competitive match of the day. Though South Western Districts were usually in front and ended winning, they had a hard battle against the willing home side. It was only 8-3 at half-time and in the end there was just one score separating the sides.

The Young Eagles took the lead when, after some strong work by their short, chunky scrumhalf Percy Williams, Christopher Richardson plunged over. Penalties made the score 8-3 at half-time and 8-6 soon after,

The South Western Districts went on the attack and an 8-9-12 move gave Michael Bernard a try. 13-6. Then 16-6 and then Elrico Fielies darted and gave to Len le Roux who scored under the posts. 16-13, which became 16-all.

It was a dingdong battle.

Inside their own half South Western Districts win a turnover and got the ball to Curtly Brinkhuis on the left wing. He beat his opponent with a powerful hand-off and then kicked infield. Bernard gathered and forced his way over for a try. 23-16.

With five minutes to go Griquas were battering at the South Western Districts line. South Western Districts were penalised but Griquas went for posts, no doubt in search of a victory.

They did not come near a victory as it was South Western Districts who made the running in these last five minutes, notably Percy Williams and Leclue Barnard.

The scorers:

For Griquas:
Try: Len le Roux
Con: Elrico Fillies
Pens: Fielies

For South Western Districts:
Tries: Michael Bernardt 2, Christopher Richardson
Cons: Sylvian Mahuza
Pens: Mahuza, Percy Williams

The teams:

Griquas: 15 Granville Adams, 14 Heinrich van der Walt, 13 Dawid-Johan Minnie, 12 Len le Roux, 11 Charlton Koopman, 10 Elrico Fielies, 9 Zane le Roux, 8 Jaco Buys, 7 Christiaan de Haast, 6 Graham de Reuck, 5 Andrich Nortjé, 4 Louis-Philip Potgieter, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Jean Maclean, 1 McPherson Maketlo.
Replacements: 16 Emile Jansen, 17 Humann Oerson, 18 Adriaan Smit, 19 Hermanus Scholtz, 20 Curtley Kiewiet, 21 Jacobus du Plessis, 22 Vuyani Maqina.

SWD: 15 Ryno Wepener, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Tertius Kruger, 12 Michae Bernardt, 11 Ethan Williams, 10 Du Toit Hills, 9 Kurshwill Williams, 8 Christopher Richardson, 7 Francois van der Vyver (captain), 6 Leclue Barnard, 5 Jurgens Schoeman, 4 David Malan, 3 Bradley Jumaats, 2 Brianton Booysen, 1 Blaine James.
Replacements: 16 John Schmitt 17 Dewald Dekker 18 Marco Theron 19 Marthinus Oosthuizen 20 Kerwin Appollis 21 Ganfried May, 22 Curtley Brinkhuis.