Bellville's day to remember

Match Report

Belville sprung a big surprise when they beat the strong Bishops side 6-0 in the rain and the wind at Bellville on Saturday.

For their match against Bishops - also known as the "Lion Slayers" - Bellville High were referred to as the "Underdogs" instead of the usual "Bellville Lions". It is no wonder, for Bishops currently rank 6th in the country on the FNB Top 20 and  scores of 41-6 against St. Andrew's and 47-3 against the Boland's No.1 School, Drostdy, and recent victories over Paarl Boys' High and Boland Landbou.
 
The game was played in typical Cape Town windy and rainy winter weather.

Within a few minutes of the match it was evident that Bishops was going to throw everything in to attack to penetrate Bellville's defence. Phase after phase was set up by the Bishops' forwards with their No.8, Koster, at the front. Fearless tackling by outside centre, Elrico Blaauw and lock Ryan Olivier lifted the spirits of the Bellville High players. Tactical kicking allowed Bellville into their opponents' half and they were rewarded with a penalty goal by flyhalf, Deon Thiart, half way through the first half, Bellville leading 3-0.

By now Bellville managed to settle under the pressure and at the end of the first half they were attacking Bishops' try-line. Minutes before the end of the first half, Bellville flyhalf, Deon Thiart, kicked their second penalty goal to lead 6-0 at the break.
 
Bishops started the second half with almost everything in their favour, with the wind at their backs and the rain in the faces of their opponents. For many it seemed only a matter of time before the huge pack of forwards and skillful backline players would score, but this was to be a day to remember where 15 schoolboys were prepared to give up their lives instead of allowing a try to be scored.

Attack after attack was launched by the Bishops' players and many times they were stopped centimetres from the Bellville try-line. The Bellville loose forwards did not allow Koster, No.8, game breaker of Bishops, to play his normal game. Both Ryan Olivier and Henry Lessing were prominent in winning quality line-out ball for Bellville at crucial times in the match. Also worth mentioning are the two try-saving tackles by Heinrich Reuters and Warren Hendriks and the excellent touch finders kicked  by Deon Thiart (flyhalf) and Marius Botha (fullback) and a few turn-overs by Morné Klopper and Ryan Olivier.
 
Bellville won 6-0 thriller.
 
Bellville Lions roar once again, their 6th victory in a row.

Scorer:

For Bellville:
Pens: Deon Thiart 2

By Pieter Kok