Wynberg pip Rondebosch
Wynberg recovered from their heavy defeat at the hands of Paul Roos on Saturday, to beat Rondebosch 9-6 in this pre-long weekend encounter at Rondebosch.
Wynberg's flyhalf, Tyrone Bloor, will be celebrating after capping a great performance by slotting a penalty from about 20 metres out with the sands of time having run out.
In what could be described as a bruising encounter, reminiscent of the Paarl Interschool derby, Wynberg took it to Rondebosch around the edges of the loose scrums. Bosch tackled with all their might at this never-ending barrage of forward drives led by No.8 Michael Botha.
The No.8 featured in the line-outs too and contested the 'Bosch ball taking their throw in at will.
Wynberg, having had their egos bruised from their 68-0 hiding by a weak Paul Roos side four days earlier, fought tooth and nail to win this encounter. Wynberg had three opportunities in the first half to score tries but the Rondebosch defence was impregnable.
The closest Wynberg came to the Rondebosch line was when centre, Angelo Mackaiser, managed an intercept - only to be caught just short of the line by the Bosch flyhalf, Dean Grant.
Grant had a sound game scoring Bosch's only points in the second half.
Wynberg with faltering backs used their forwards with great success in the second half.
Most of the play was in the Rondebosch section with Grant only being able to get his two kicks from 40 metres out.
Rondebosch wing, Shafiek Noordien, was prominent with his great speed but could not pull things right for the Bosch on his own.
In the dying minutes Wynberg flyhalf, Bloor, tried to get his team ahead by attempting a drop kick. This was charged down but the ref judged Rondebosch off side and awarded a penalty. Bloor made no mistake. From right in front he bisected the posts with his kick giving Wynberg a three-point victory.
The Wynberg supporters went home happy. There is a worry, however, that in schoolboy in the Southern Suburbs, running, thinking rugby is making way for bash, win-at-all-cost rugby.
Scorers
For Wynberg:
Pens: Bloor 3
For Rondebosch:
Pens: Grant 2
By Craig Wilson of wpsport.co.za