Queen’s defeat Grens

Queen’s College started the season off with a tough 19-0 win against Grens from East London, at the annual Border Schools’ Rugby Day. The match was played in windy conditions at Selborne College.

Grens managed to gain ascendancy in the territorial and possession stakes for the majority of the first half. The Grens team attacked relentlessly and was only kept at bay by resolute Queen’s College defence.

When the Queenians had possession they showed some enterprising play but the majority of these attacking forays were stopped by the resolute defence of the Grens team.

Queen’s College were first to score in the 17th minute after Olwetu Foslag made a telling line break and set up a great attacking platform. After some telling ball-carries from the forwards, Simphiwe Mantanzima finally scored. The try was converted by Albré Wagener.  

The opening try seemed to spur the Queenians on as captain, Raegan Oranje, scored the second try for Queen’s after catching the Grens No.8 in possession on their tryline. The forwards then managed to turn the ball over, which saw Oranje dive over for Queen’s College’s second. The conversion was wide and the score was 12-0 to Queen’s College.

Grens then came out firing and after a good set piece move managed to cross the tryline of Queen’s, but No.8 Pumelele Daweti, put in a try saving tackle and managed to dislodge the ball on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was characterised by more solid defence from both teams,  and saw the game ebb and flow in both teams favours, however early season form and first match jitters resulted in both teams making elementary mistakes and squandering try scoring opportunities.  

The only score of the second half started in the Queen’s College 22m area which saw Foslag put Mihlali Peter into a large gap. Peter then linked with the rest of the backs, who after some good passing and interplay saw captain, Oranje score. Tshefuta added the extra two points.

Both teams will be pleased with certain aspects of their play but also realise there is lots of room for improvement going forward.

Queen’s College will take on Pearson this coming weekend at the Graeme College Rugby Day in Grahamstown.

By John Duncan