Muir off to solid start with two wins

MUIR have made a promising start to the schools rugby season, with solid wins over Cillie and Port Alfred in their opening two games.

The Uitenhage lads kicked off with a tough clash against Cillie in Port Elizabeth, with the match deadlocked at 7-7 at half time. Muir eventually ran out 26-12 winners. Both teams played conservatively in the early stages, trying to find holes in the defences.

Muir drew first blood when centre Lunathi Nxele raced through a gap out wide to score. Scrumhalf Abongile Sonjica kicking the conversion. However, before the end of the half, Cillie levelled matters with a well-worked try between the posts.

The second half saw a more confident Muir take the field and they ran in tries by Nxele, flank Mziwamadoda Goba and centre Mihlali Nobomvu. Sonjica kicked two conversions. Cillie replied with a second try, but Muir had firm control of the game by that stage.

In his first team debut, Muir lock Ancel Velkers had a solid game and did the basics well, allowing No8 Mihlali Mose and centres Lunathi Nxele and Mihlali Nobomvu to keep Cillie under pressure. At the Graeme College rugby day, Muir scored seven tries to defeat Port Alfred High 45-0.

Muir started slowly due to handling errors and poor decision-making, and only settled down once locks Velker and Mihlali Mosi worked hard from a pick and drive to cross the line. Sonjica kicked the conversion and then Mosi crossed for his second try, also converted. Centre Lunathi Nxele ran in Muir's third try just before the break.

A shortened second half saw a more composed Muir cross for four more tries by fullback Yomilele Keswa, left wing Xolela Daniels, center Mihlali Nobomvu and right wing Sithembiso Metshe.

Nxele kicked three conversions.