Selborne again far too good
Selborne were kept at bay by Pretoria for the first 10 minutes and the latter missed a relatively easy penalty to go ahead.
This galvanised Selborne and they starved PBHS of possession with their No.8 dominant in the tight loose. Selborne’s scoring was opened with a penalty by scrumhalf Mitchell Connellan. Two tries back-to-back followed; the first by fullback Jason Raubenheimer and converted by Connellan for a 10-0 lead.
Immediately on attack from the kick-off the ball again came wide and centre Sibabalwe Xamlashe beat defenders to score. Again Connellan was successful with the extra points for a 17-0 lead with Pretoria starved of the ball Selborne continued pressurising and impressive left wing Afika Ndinisa rounded the defence to score. Connellan converted for a 24-0 lead.
The East Londoners were not finished and it was Ndimisa again, this time with more work to do, as he sidestepped his way through two tackles to score. Connellan’s successful conversion took Selborne into a 31-0 lead at halftime.
It took 10 minutes for Selborne to open their scoring in the second half. Replacement scrumhalf Thomas Bursey darted over from a ruck close to the line. This was well converted by David Coetzer who had just come on to the field - for a 38-0 lead.
PBHS managed to work their way upfield and when awarded a penalty 10m out they ran it and, from a succeeding ruck, the ball came out and flank Slade Guy stretched to dot down.
Selborne replied immediately getting back on attack and, with 14 players after a yellow card, they won the ball, moved it left, and some deft passes ended with Bursey going over for his second try and a 39-5 lead.
Coetzer was soon to make a difference and when a pass was dropped with PBHS 30m out, Coetzer was quick to pick up the ball and sprint 60 metres to score under the sticks and convert for a 46-5 lead. Selborne added two further tries in the last five minutes by hooker Mark Venter and wiry Miles Morton, converted by Coetzer for a 58-5 win.
Selborne illustrated with this good win that they will be difficult to beat in the forthcoming season.
Scorers:
For Selborne:
Tries: Jason Raubenheimer, Sibabalwe Xamlashe, Afika Ndinisa 2, Thomas Bursey 2, David Coetzer, Mark Venter, Miles Norton
Cons: Mitchell Connellan 3, Coetzer 2
Penalty: Connellan
For Pretoria Boys High:
Try: Slade Guy