Queen's College show little too late
Queen's College lost a nail-biting rugby fixture to archrivals, Dale College, in King William's Town this past Saturday afternoon. The match was the culmination of Dale's 151st Reunion celebrations and finished with a final score of 21-18 to the hosts.
The score has so many stories to tell. Firstly, it was very much game of two halves and secondly Dale looked as though they would run away with it in the beginning. Thirdly, Queen's College showed enormous courage and shed blood, sweat and tears in the second half to claw their way back into the game.
The opening try of the match came in the sixth minute and was scored when Dale turned over possession from a Queen's College scrum feed. The resultant tighthead gave their captain and centre Sibanye Bukani plenty of room to weave his magic and to score under the posts, while Akhona Sihunu added the extras. The hosts continued their assault with blistering speed and wasted no time in getting back into their opponents' half. Sihunu was given a shot at goal from 35m out, but the ball sailed just wide.
It was at this point where Queen's College began to flex their muscles. The visitors worked their way into their opponents half and attacked the goal line with a continual barrage of muscular forwards and skilful halfbacks. The Dalians, however, had other ideas and were unyielding in their defence and refused to give an inch. This barrage lasted for all of 10 minutes and all Queen's College got out of it was a penalty from Joshua Stander in the 18th minute.
Dale answered quickly and scored an all most unbelievable try, in the 23rd minute, through fullback Thabani Mgugudo and Sihunu added the extras. The halftime score was 14-3 to the hosts who, despite a 10 minute respite, were firmly in control at this stage.
The second half started with a frantic pace. Dale scored an early try in the corner, through right wing, Lloyd Mudzoza, Sihunu, who seems to be oozing confidence at the moment, slotted the difficult conversion with ease.
At 21-3, many were expecting a hiding, and rightly so. This Dale College team is just unbelievable to watch. They do everything at full speed and are such a wonderful example to youngsters who watch them play. Their skills are almost ridiculous and they are able to change direction from one end of the field to the other in just two passes.
Queen's College started the second half with a different plan. They held onto the ball through multiple phases and used their brutish forwards to good effect. They began to claw their way back into the game through tries by Stander (47th minute) and wing Chumani Mase (50th minute and 68th minute). Unfortunately, the visitors forgot their kicking boots at home and missed all three conversions and a further two penalties, which could have given them victory. They spent virtually the entire second half in the Dale College 22m area and battered them into submission. The hosts had very little to offer by way of counter measures, but when they did manage to get their hands on the ball, they were awfully dangerous and exciting to watch.
The final score line has left a bitter taste for the visiting supporters and sweet taste for the home supporters. Dale College continue on their winning ways, but will be tested in two weeks time when they face Grey PE in Port Elizabeth.
As for Queen's College, the Men from Queenstown have a tough assignment this coming weekend when they take on a rejuvenated Hudson Park in East London before taking on St Andrew's in Grahamstown and then finishing the second term fixtures with a derby fixture against Stirling.
By Hayden Buchholz