Die Burger finals
Match reports
The finals of Die Burger's competition were played at Outeniqua Park in George on Saturday. Outeniqua of George, Worcester Gim and Itembelihle of Port Elizabeth won.
Small Schools
Itembelihle vs Augsburg Landbougimnasium, 19-10
In a game of two contrasting halves, Itembelihle beat Augsburg.
Early morning dew suited the heavier Augsburg forwards and they controlled proceedings and ended the half leading 10-5.
Itembelihle struggled to play their natural attacking game in these conditions. Itembelihle, though, were first to score when a clever tactical kick by fullback Makhomfane bounced right for wing Delele Diba who fell over for an unconverted try. The Augsburg pack received a penalty close to Itembelihle's line and powerful hooker Machiel Basson powered over. The Augsburg pack drove superbly on several occasions and it was not long before No.8 Duan Burden fell over for a try.
The second half was totally different. The field dried up and Itembelihle kept the ball in hand and launched several attacks on the Augsburg line. Wing Xolani Mtoba caught the eye with several exciting runs down the touch-line.
Itembelihle scored when flank Gqongqo Mankeya raced over for a try converted by Makhomfane. Augsburg's forwards tired and Itembelihle took control stealing several line-out balls from Augsburg. Itembelihle scored the best try ,when from second phase, centre Jamjam cut back to score next to the poles for Makhomfane to convert.
Outstanding for Augsburg were hooker Machiel Basson, No.8 Duan Burden and scrumhalf Esterhuyse.
For Itembelihle fullback Andele Makhomfane, wing Xolani Mtoba, flank Gqongqo Mankeya and hooker Wongama Mashalaba played well.
Scorers:
For Itembelihle:
Tries: Delele Diba, Gqongqo Mankeya, Akhona Jamjam
Cons: Andele Makhomfane
For Augsburg:
Tries: Machiel Basson, Duan Burden
Medium schools
Worcester vs Punt, 31-14
The game was evenly balanced in the first half but in the second half Worcester proved too strong for Punt.
Till half-time the match was reasonably even at 17-14 to Gim after Gim had taken an early 12-0 lead. Centre Geo Venter was the spark that ignited Punt's fightback, setting up both his side's tries.
But in the second half the Worcester side were much too good for the boys from Mossel Bay.
The outstanding forward of the game was big prop Clinton Khana who put in several strong runs. In the backs their wing Jaco Roux impressed with his speed.
Scorers:
For Worcester Gimnasium;
Tries: Jaco Roux 3, Kobus Rabe, Yrin Belelie
Cons: Bertus Hansen, Jaco Roux, SJ Marais
For Punt:
Tries: Nevin Farmer, Jacques Belstedt
Big schools
Outeniqua vs Drostdy, 24-6
The first half was evenly contested, with Drostdy not standing back for the talented Outeniqua players. The men from Worcester deservedly led 6-3 half-time.
A controversial try early in the second half when wing Johan Koen lost the ball over the try-line but was awarded the try took the wind out of Drostdy's sails . After this they were out of the game, at a stage losing five line-out throws in a row.
Further tries were scored by wing Ettienne Carstens and fullback Wilton Pietersen. Centre Ignus Prinsloo impressed with his goal-kicking, landing three conversions and a penalty goal, some from the touchline.
To their credit Drostdy never gave up.
Scorers:
For Outeniqua:
Tries: Johan Koen, Wilton Pietersen, Ettienne Carstens
Cons: Ignus Prinsloo 3
Pen: Ignus Prinsloo
For HTS Drostdy:
Pens: Frederick Viljoen 2
By Theo Pieterse