Monnas enjoying Japan

High standard of schoolboy rugby

Hoërskool Monument are South Africa's representative at the seventh Sanix Youth Rugby Tournament in the Global Arena in Munakata City in Fukuoka, Japan during Japan's Golden Week when there are public holidays. So far Monnas are doing well.

There are 16 teams taking part - eight from Japanese schools and eight from schools abroad.

Writing from Japan Hans Coetzee, the Monnas' coach, reports.

Everybody is doing really well and enjoying the trip.

The Japanese teams are making a big impression with their driving from line-outs. Their defence is outstanding, for they are certainly not frightened.

In general their rugby is good and they should be easily able to defeat many South African teams.

Of the other countries Christchurch Boys' High of New Zealand and Marist College of Canberra in Australia are the best.

Monnas may well be playing against Marist College in a semi-final on Wednesday.

Monday was a free day and Monnas went on a visit to Nagasaki and the Atom Bomb Memorial.

Results of Matches 1 & 2

Monnas vs Oita Maizuru High (Japan), 45-14

At half-time Monnas led 28-0

It was a good start to the tour - the highest score of the day with seven tries. We had no injuries.

The Australian referee Geoff Action was excellent. There were few penalties, few stoppages in play at scrums and pother phases.

Scorers for Monnas:
Tries: inside centre Justin Botha, who scored the first try, flank Johan van Deventer, scrumhalf Alec de Kock, right wing Botha Steyn, left wing Zunaid Kock 2, outside centre Armand Joubert
Cons: Justin Botha 5

Monnas vs Pai Chai High (Korea), 43-7

At half-time Monnas led 14-0.

Scorers for Monnas:
Tries: Brandon Visagie, Jacques Fischer 2, Boeta Steyn, Damien Janse van Rensburg, Justin Botha
Cons: Justin Botha 4

By Hans Coetzee