Marlow triumph in FNB Classic

Match Report

Marlow Landbou from just outside Cradock beat Cradock High Schools 18-7 in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

The match, the big annual Cradock derby, was played at the Cradock Sportsground. Spectators came from near and far for this popular contest, and the Sportsground was bursting at the seams by the start of the match.

Marlow scored first when inside centre Nielbert Kitching succeeded with a penalty goal. Marlow returned to the attack and again Cradock conceded a penalty, again goaled easily by Nielbert Kitching. In this first half Marlow enjoyed territorial advantage, thinks to the power play of their forwards.

Just before half-time the Marlow backs attacked but the move broke down through a handling error in the Cradock 22. Cradock's left-wing Emilio Julius kicked downfield, followed up and got possession of the ball. Jaco Karstens tackled Julius just before the goal-line but the wing brilliantly got the ball to his outside centre Bongi Magadu who scored the try. Eighthman Rudolph Reeders kicked the easy conversion and at half-time Cradock led 7-6.

The Marlow pack took over in the second half but the backs battled to get going till, after the forwards had given the backs good ball from a tackle phase,  Nielbert Kitching took an inside gap and scored a brilliant try under the posts. Marlow now led 11-6.

As the match went on, Marlow increased their domination and flank Jacques van der Westhuizen scored an outstanding forwards try. This try showed the strength of Marlow's forwards as they drove many metres with the ball. Nielbert Kitching converted.

Mention must be made if the Marlow lock Jacobus Odendaal who played outstandingly.

For a preview of the match with links to profiles of the captains and the schools, click here.

Scorers

For Marlow:
Tries: Nielbert Kitching, Jacques van der Westhuizen
Con: Nielbert Kitching
Pens: Nielbert Kitching 2

For Cradock:
Try: Bongo Magadu
Con: Rudolph Reeders

Teams:

Cradock High: 15 Albert Hugo, 14 Elrich Smith, 13 Bongi Magadu, 12 François Bekker, 11 Emilio Julius, 10 Roswald Valentine, 9 Robert de Klerk (captain), 8 Rudolph Reeders, 7 JP Swart, 6 Oliver Murray, 5 Hannes Lombard, 4 Lwambeso Hermaans, 3 Attie Tembani, 2 Kobus Tait, 1 Simon Chimaly.

Coach: Abrie le Roux

Marlow: 15 Stean Vorster (captain), 14 Nico Nel, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Nielbert Kitching, 11 Dirk Karstens, 10 Jacques Watson, 9 Jaco Potgieter, 8 Abri Lubbe, 7 Rossouw du Randt, 6 Jacques van der Westhuizen, 5 Louwrens Lötter, 4 Jacobus Odendaal, 3 Herman Kock, 2 Graeme Heyneke, 1 AJ Oelofse.

Coach: Jaco Beukes

Referee: Joe Knoezen (Eastern Province)