Great turnout for junior rugby
| FAST PACED: The final of the Port Alfred Junior Rugby Tournament, played at Station Hill sports fields on Saturday, was a tightly fought battle between Port Alfred Junior Rugby (in red kit) and Alexandria. With less than five minutes to go, Alexandria were three points ahead, but lost as Kowie went over for a match-winning try and conversion. The final score was Alexandria 10, Kowie 14 Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
WITH the England team's current tour to South Africa and the success of the Springbok team, rugby is once more sparking the attention of South Africa, especially at Station Hill sports fields which hosted the Junior Rugby tournament on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, only three of the invited teams actually made it on the day,” said Port Alfred Junior Rugby team u-15 (Kowie) coach, Donovan Thomas.
"It is a shame, and some did not let us know they weren't coming.”
Still, Thomas went on to say he was very pleased with the interest shown by the Station Hill community.
"It is so nice to see so many people of the area, young and old, getting together to support local junior rugby,” he said.
Three teams were available to play, including Alexandria u-15, Alicedale u-15 and hosts, Kowie. A total of three games were played on Saturday, and there were no run-away winners at the tournament. All teams seemed pretty evenly matched with all games hotly contested. Some of the players showed great promise for the future and impressed the 500 plus strong supporter base who attended the tournament.
A total of three games were played on the day. The first game played was between Alicedale (12) and Alexandria (15). The second game was also closely contested, with Alicedale again runners-up (12) and Kowie (22).
| WINNERS: EehonKing (left), Alexandria's u-15 coach, presents the tournament trophy to Port Alfred Junior Rugby u-15 team captain, Zenovan Denston, at the Port Alfred Junior Rugby Tournament, held at Station Hill on Saturday Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
"We have so many people to thanks,” said Thomas after the game, "I hope I don't miss anyone out.
"We would like to thank Neil and Berdene Menary of Highway Motors for their fantastic support in providing food for the tournament. Thanks also go to the following sponsors: Ndlambe Municipality, Port Alfred Primere Skool, Oasis Water, Ndlambe Ambulance Department, Albert Nelson and Siphiwo (subs: correct) Madomela for supplying food, Wally's place, the Scheepers family and Sibina Jordaan.”
A jubilant Thomas said he had tears in his eyes at the end of the match.
"Can you believe we won with the final score of the match?” he asked.
"We look forward to next year's tournament which, I'm sure after Saturday's success, will be an even bigger event,” said Thomas.
