Highly contested Classic Clashes

In a rivalry dating back to 1978, Hudson Park continued their great season with a 14-9 win over Cambridge in their sixth annual Classic Clash encounter. Framesby High School ended their 2016 rugby season with a flourish as they marched to a 33-17 win over Hoërskool Nico Malan in Port Elizabeth.

In Mossel Bay, Punt Hoërskool edged Langenhoven Gimnasium 12-8 in a highly contested match while Swartberg SS secured a 19-12 win over Hawston SS in Caledon.

Down in De Doorns, De Kruine fought back valiantly in the second half to outscore Hexvallei 14-3, however, it proved too little as the home side hung on to claim a narrow 23-20 victory.

All the Classic Clashes!

Framesby 33-17 Nico Malan

The stadium was jam-packed for the traditional end-of-season clash. Nico Malan pupils warmed the crowd up with their usual flashes and chants while hosts Framesby took the silent route in this encounter.

The weather conditions were perfect for some great running rugby which the hosts took full advantage off. Framesby took accumulated 19 points while Nico Malan just managed to slot over a penalty as they went into the half-time break.

The second half proved to be much kinder to the visitors as they scored two tries through inside centre Henrico Helm and lock Johan Viljoen. Both tries were converted by captain and scrumhalf Bendre Jonck, who also slotted a penalty, giving his side the 17 points to take home.

However, 17 points proved too little as hosts Framesby produced some class rugby in their march to a famous 33-17 victory.  

Punt 12-8 Langenhoven Gim

Home ground advantage proved to be the difference as hosts Punt Hoerskool secured a narrow 12-8 win over arch-rivals Langenhoven Gimnasium in a tightly contested match after the opening half ended scoreless.

After the break, the hosts came out with more intent as they managed to get the much-needed points to ensure them a victory. However, Langenhoven Gim did not make the path to victory easy for the home side.

Despite being plagued with injuries and fielding a fairly young side, Langenhoven Gim showed great courage as they scored a try and slotted over a penalty. The try scorer Ruben Janse van Rensburg along with the penalty kick from his captain Duan Terblanche made sure their team had something to be proud of.

Cambridge 9-14 Hudson Park

Both sides wanted to end the season on a positive note and it was who Cambridge enjoyed possession in the opening minutes but with 10 minutes on the clock, Hudson Park drew first blood by scoring a converted try from the driving maul.

Cambridge responded immediately by receiving a penalty and taking the three points on offer. The rest of the half was a tightly contested battle, displaying fantastic attack and desperate defence.

Before the break, Hudson Park were able to score another converted try and Cambridge once again responded immediately with a penalty.

The visitors led 14-6 at the break.

The second half started like the first ended, a tightly contested physical battle with both teams giving their all. Cambridge managed another three-pointer to reduce the deficit to just five points. The game ended with Cambridge in possession of the ball, camping in Hudson Park half, unable to score.

Swartberg SS 19-12 Hawston SS

Swartberg SS wanted to avoid a second consecutive defeat and Hawston were in search of another historic win. Both teams were more focused on defending which is evident in the 0-3 half-time scoreline.

The hosts were lucky enough to have had Lorenzo Swart slot over a penalty giving them a narrow three-point lead in the first half, while Hawston failed to produce any points.

As the second half commenced the two sides opted to go with a more attacking approach. Hawston scored two tries thanks to Junaide Karelse and Muron Gillion, while Robert Andries succeeded with one conversion to give the visitors their 12 points.

However, both sides knew that the match was still far from over. After conceding a try by Keenen Swart and three successful penalty kicks, the visitors found themselves on the back foot as they continued to find themselves pinned in their own half.  

In the dying minutes of the match, Swartberg's attacks were rewarded as Caydon Davids put the final nail in the coffin with a try to give his side the win.

Hexvallei 23-20 De Kruine

The home side came out firing in the first half and took the game to their visitors. Hexvallei enjoyed lengthy periods of possession and found reward through two converted tries. They found even more joy in the opening 35 minutes with two goaled penalties to end the half on 20 points.

Despite being dominated, De Kruine were able to get on the board thanks to two Brandon Smith penalties as Hexvallei went into the break with a healthy 20-6 lead.

It was certainly a case of two different halves as the dominance changed hands at the resumption of play.

De Kruine showed plenty of courage and resilience to fight their way back into the contest. Their reward came in the form of two Tyron Sneygans tries. Smith converted both scores to take his side to 20 points.

However, a solitary Hexvallei penalty in the second half proved to be the difference between the sides.