Queen's beat Dale in FNB Classic Clash
Four tries to three in inter-schools clash
In a fiercely-contested 'FNB Classic Clashes' inter-schools fixture between long-standing traditional rivals, Queen's and Dale (on the occasion of the Dale Reunion), the visiting Queen's team deservedly beat their opposition by 20 points to 10 after a narrow 10-7 lead at half-time.
Queen's College outscored their opposition by four tries to one and the scoreline might well have been extended had they slotted their numerous conversion and penalty attempts. A strong, icy wind also interfered with ball handling and kicking.
With so much at stake in the Reunion derby match of this nature, the game was characterised by very intense physical exchanges between the forward packs, with each side holding their own in the set phases. Queen's took the early initiative when they drove from a line-out allowing hooker Lisle Clark, to break away and score in the 10th minute. During the first half Queen's had numerous opportunities to score points, but deadly first time tackling by the Dalians prevented this. Queen's were also guilty of kicking away too much good possession, which ought to have been kept alive and distributed to their talented wings, who looked dangerous with the ball in the hand.
The Dale flyhalf Jacques van Coller, put in a number of huge clearance kicks to relieve the pressure for his team. Dale opened their account in the 27th minute when they were awarded a five-metre scrum which enabled their eighthman Shane Spring to pick up and barge over for a converted try.
Queen's continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with their second try in the closing stages of this half, when eighthman Mbuyisa Mnci broke around the blindside of a maul and caught the opposition napping, to score in the right-hand corner of the field. Queen's had the upperhand in the first half and may well have extended their lead had their three-quarters cut out the 'fancy stuff' and allowed the ball to get to their wings.
A feature of the game was the excellent manner in which former international referee, André Watson, allowed the game to flow. During the middle stages of the second half, Dale played their best rugby and took the ball through numerous good phases. The defensive lines of the Queenians stood firm, despite good work from the Dale captain and centre, Mpondo Maphelo, who threatened the Queen's backline. The Dale flank Senzele Ngumbela shone in the loose, and was also prominent in the line-outs.
For Queen's, Lisle Clark took six tightheads for the second consecutive game, while Matthew Lutge ensured excellent possession in the line-outs, jumping at number two. The two wings Sbura Sithole and Mayibuye Ndwandwa did remarkably well with the little ball they had.
With time running out, Dale equalised through a penalty by flyhalf Van Coller and the scene was set for a very tense final eight minutes, with the game balanced on a knife edge. It was Queen's, however, who rose to the occasion, scoring two excellent tries before the final whistle. Left-wing S. Sithole and right-wing M. Ndwandwa, each put in powerful runs to complete the scoring for the victorious Queenians - 20-10 to Queen's College, the final score.
Queen's take on the visitors from Selborne this weekend, who will be licking their wounds after losing 50-0 to Grey College. Coaches Dave McEwan and Clint Loest will be cautiously optimistic and they prepare for this important game, but will not underestimate their very capable opposition.
By Mike Boy