Boishaai negotiate first hurdle
Paarl Boys’ High withstood a determined late burst by visitors San Isidro from Argentina to run out relatively comfortable 38-20 winners on a blazing hot Paarl summer afternoon at Brug Street on Monday 11 March 2013.
Convincing as the score may seem, the home coaching staff were given much to think about as the visitors displayed plenty of backline flair – an aspect of the game in which the hosts wre expected to excel. Indeed, the two tries from lightning breaks by the Argentinians’ inside centre left some question marks over Boishaai’s midfield defensive capabilities.
Not really knowing what to expect – the 3rds beat the visitors 73-10, but the 2nds folded 3-12 – the small crowd was given some early reassurance when a thundering break down the middle by Man of the Match hooker Daniel du Plessis set up great second-phase ball for outside centre Dewald Naudé to touch down. Flyhalf Nicholas Cottee notched the first of five conversions and the locals led 7-0.
San Isidro cut the margin to 7-3 with a penalty goal within two minutes, but it was only another six minutes before the hosts crossed for their second five-pointer, scrumhalf Damien Stevens snapping up an inside pass on the break. Cottee converted and added a penalty shortly afterwards to make the score 17-3 at the first water-break.
The heat was starting to take its toll on the home team, but they still managed to create the try of the match in the second quarter of the game.
No.8 Bulle de Villiers and wing left wing Ferlin Vers exchanged passes down the left touchline, leaving the ubiquitous and seemingly tireless Du Plessis to get his name on the scoresheet with a richly-deserved try under the crossbar.
Cottee’s conversion and a San Isidro penalty on the half-time whistle made the score Paarl Boys’ High 24 San Isidro 6.
After the change-over the visitors looked ever more threatening as the match fitness built up against Drostdy and Paul Roos started to manifest itself.
They narrowed Boishaai’s lead to eleven points when an inside pop-pass resulted in a thoroughly-deserved converted try by their inside centre. (Boishaai 24 San Isidro13)
It was hardly surprising that the motive force behind the fourth Boishaai try came from more great support play by Du Plessis, the grateful recipient of his final pass on this occasion being captain and lock Burger van Niekerk. (Boishaai 31 San Isidro13)
As the second water-break drew closer the hosts appeared to wilt somewhat and many worried looks were exchanged when the San Isidro inside centre scythed through for his side’s second converted try. (Boishaai 31 San Isidro 20)
Fortunately the locals gradually found their second wind, with de Villiers particularly prominent, and any thoughts of an upset were banished when Naudé intercepted an optimistic pass on his own 22 metre line to cruise in at the visitors’ posts for try number five. Cottee obliged with the simple conversion for Paarl Boys’ High to register a fairly convincing 38-20 victory.
The home team’s much-anticipated pack was subjected to a real test of character by the Argentinians, but the tight five came through unscathed. Props Thomas du Toit and Derrick Marais stood firm on either side of Du Plessis, while locks Burger van Niekerk and Matthew le Roux acquitted themselves well. In the loose flanks Charlie Jonas and Klaas du Toit supplemented the devastating mobility of Bulle de Villiers perfectly.
If there was fault to be found it would be in the relative anonymity of scrumhalf Stevens and first centre Kent Street, the latter seeming to be there only to convey the ball to venomous outside centre Naudé and elusive wings Vers and Daylin Daniels. Wing-turned-fullback Danté van der Merwe provided the kind of unshakeable final line of defence local fans have come to take for granted.
It would be unfair to pass judgement on the Brug Street Boytjies after just one game – and that in 37 degree heat. Lots of work lies ahead, but the faithful can rest assured that their heroes will provide thrilling rugby aplenty this winter.
By Tony Stoops