A big one-point win

The Dale vs Selborne College rugby clash lived up to a typical derby day encounter between these two great schools that ground out a 10-9 win for Dale.

One has to feel for Selborne who just seem to have hit the wall and a low from the dizzy heights that they have enjoyed in recent seasons.

This rugby match has been the talking point from far and wide with all social media carrying predictions and adding to the hype. Typically, defence by both sides was the decider in the end!

In beautiful weather conditions the two sides took to the field for the 184th rugby clash. There was no inch given in the opening encounters. Players' nerves were telling as numerous handling mistakes on both sides were evident.

The playing on the edge soon had Dale penalised. The penalty conversion gave Selborne an early and unexpected lead of 3-0. Dale No 8 took a heavy tackle that affected his play for the rest of the game. Dale also missed hard working and veteran wing Mqhayi through previous injury.

Almost 10 minutes into the game the potent Dale backline came into play. Desperate defence kept them away from the tryline. Eventually the breakthrough for Dale came and a try that had been threatening. The conversion gave Dale a 7-3 lead.

Just before half-time Selborne were again successful with a penalty conversion to give the score at the break 7-6. The second half was going to be a game of chance and absolute defence on both sides. Selborne were throwing everything into the game. Dale kept cool and absorbed the pressure. Another Selborne penalty brought up the 10-9 scoreline.

This is when the nerves of the players and spectators hit fever pitch. Dale attempted some long-range 50-plus metre penalty conversions that just fell short and in an attempt to drive the play back into the Selborne half and to gain control. Selborne were also unsuccessful with penalty attempts to try to take the lead.

The last 20 minutes of the game saw Selborne defend well and who had more than enough possession but didn't take their chances. When they did Dale defence held tight. Both sides were very careful not to give away any kickable penalties. The lighter Dale forwards held Selborne very well but line-out throw-ins needed to be more accurate by Dale.

Watching the touchline, as spectators, one could feel for the entire Selborne coaching staff who were giving or shouting instruction to their players and also using radio technology to try and get messages onto the field in an effort to guide and drive fruits of their labour, the Selborne team to victory. It goes to prove that sideline instructions are not the same as being on the field of play! Don't we all play a better game from a spectators point of view?

In the end Dale played an average game when we know what they are capable of and all good wishes to Selborne College as they climb out of a night mare rugby season. Dale thus recorded the 98th win in the history of Dale vs Selborne clashes by winning this encounter in East London and breaking the drought of wins that goes back to the 2007 season.

This rugby game was history in the making! The first time in Dale's history that the First XV is a transformed "All Black" side and kept the Dale flag flying and with pride. Possibly the first time in Selborne's history that their First XV has been beaten by a side consisting of so-called Black South Africans.

The Dale side of 2012 will look back with pride. The last "All White" Dale First XV was all-conquering 1993 side under the captaincy of current Dale Coach, Grant Griffith.

From the Old Dalian Newsletter

Dale vs Selborne down the years:

1892: Dale won 2-1
1913: Draw 0-0
1915: Dale won 15-0
1916: Dale won 12-0
1917: Dale won 57-0
1918: Dale won 31-0
1919: Dale won 19-0
1920: Dale won 17-0
1921: Draw 0-0
1921: Selborne won 8-0
1922: Cancelled for a funeral
1923: Dale won 24-9
1924: Selborne won 11-8
1925: Selborne won 8-0
1926: Dale won 14-3
1927: Dale won 12-3
1928: Dale won 25-6
1929: No games; Selborne called off rugby relations
1930: Dale won 15-3
1931: Dale won 9-8
1932: Dale won 26-5
1933: Dale won 18-9
1934: Dale won 14-8
1935: Cancelled 
1936: Selborne won 21-61
1937: Dale won 11-3
1938: Dale won 43-3
1938: Dale won 16-5
1939: Selborne won 22-11
1940: Dale won 19-10
1941: Dale won 16-15
1942: Dale won 21-15
1943: Dale won 31-3
1944: Dale won 10-3
1945: Draw 6-6
1946: Dale won 15-3
1947: Selborne won 14-6
1948: Selborne won 11-10
1949: Dale won 13-6
1950: Dale won 16-6
1951: Selborne won 12-9
1952: Selborne won 20-3
1953: Selborne won 6-3
1954: Selborne won 9-6
1955: Dale won 17-8
1956: Draw 3-3
1957: Selborne won 11-5
1958: Selborne won 20-12
1959: Dale won 9-6
1960: Dale won 14-9
1961: Selborne won 8-6
1962: Selborne won 12-11
1963: Dale won 12-5
1964: Dale won 15-14
1965: Dale won 29-8
1966: Dale won 14-9
1967: Dale won 25-18
1968: Dale won 17-6
1969: Dale won 15-12
1970: Selborne won 43-17
1971: Dale won 14-11
1972: Selborne won 25-7
1973: Dale won 36-15
1974: Dale won 11-7
1975: Dale won 41-9
1976: Selborne won 25-11
1977: Selborne won 20-13
1978: Dale won 45-25
1979: Selborne won 36-19
1980: Selborne won 34-32
1981: Dale won 18-13
1982: Dale won 23-15
1983: Selborne won 6-3
1983: Selborne won 9-8
1984: Dale won 33-11
1985: Dale won 28-25
1986: Dale won 18-13
1987: Dale won 42-12
1988: Selborne won 49-13
1989: Dale won 26-6
1990: Dale won 34-3
1991: Selborne won 19-12
1992: Dale won 25-23
1993: Dale won 30-14
1994: Selborne won 17-9
1995: Dale won 40-23
1996: Dale won 35-23
1997: Selborne won 31-29
1998: Selborne won 52-9
1999: Dale won 43-8
2000: Dale won 58-27
2001: Selborne won 38-16
2002: Selborne won 22-21
2003: Selborne won 45-0
2004: Selborne won 33-32
2005: Selborne won 27-8
2006: Selborne won 31-14
2007: Dale won 33-10
2008: Selborne won 50-29
2009: Selborne won 33-20
2010: Dale won 31-29
2011: Selborne won 31-19
2012: Dale won 10-9