Quality schools rugby on show in Bay this weekend

DESPITE a shortened schools rugby programme due to exams, there will be some quality matches on show in Nelson Mandela Bay tomorrow.

Two big showdowns take place in Port Elizabeth when Framesby host Uitenhage rivals Brandwag and Grey High entertain King William's Town team Dale on the Philip field.

After a few disappointing setbacks, Grey are busy resurrecting their season and emphasised how dangerous they could be when they outclassed St Andrew's by a 43-point margin last week.

Despite a loss to Queen's, Grey, along with Selborne and Dale, are sporting the best records against Eastern Cape opposition and there will be plenty of incentive for them to stay on the winning path.

Dale flyhalf Courney Winnaar will orchestrate an extremely dangerous backline and Grey will have to shut him down to keep them at bay.

The home side will be aiming to control matters up front, because they, too, have a backline capable of telling incursions into enemy territory.

At Framesby, there will be a no-holds-barred match when the home side tackle a tough Brandwag outfit possessing several Craven Week players.

The Framesby outfit will be hurting from a loss to Marlow last weekend and will need to keep forwards like Stephan Janse van Vuuren, Erich de Jager, Morney Moos and Kaden Prince in check.

In Alexandria, New Brighton school Ithembelihle will be looking to notch up another victory against local team Ukhanyo. Ithembe have suffered two narrow losses recently and coach Theo Pieterse will have them fired up to alter that trend.

Ukhanyo will be relying on talented flyhalf Sisipho Ntantiso and big flank Sinoxolo Mayine to keep them in touch with the visitors, who have won the last two games between the sides.

At Muir, the home side host Solomon Mahlangu and should be favoured to pick up a win, while their second team will be up against John Walton.

Graeme face a tough fixture in Humansdorp against Nico Malan and Woodridge will also be stretched when they host the well-drilled Pearson side.

In Grahamstown, St Andrew's will be aiming to bounce back from their loss to Grey when they take on Queen's.

The fixtures, subject to change: (home teams first): St Andrew's v Queen's (2.40pm), Arcadia v Ndzondelelo (11.30am), Framesby v Brandwag (1pm), Nico Malan v Graeme (1.20pm), Grey v Dale (3pm), Muir v Solomon Mahlangu (12.10), Woodridge v Pearson (11.30am), Ukhanyo v Ithembelihle (1.30pm) - Neale Emslie