VP pip Union by one point
[caption id="attachment_34838" align="alignright" width="405"] ON THE ATTACK: Solomon Mahlangu's Andile Cuba bursts away from a scrum during their clash with Muir in Uitenhage at the weekend. Picture: JUDY DE VEGA[/caption]
VICTORIA Park held on for a thrilling schools rugby win against Graaff- Reinet rivals Union High in a match which went down to the wire in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
The encounter was a perfect example of how exciting schoolboy rugby can be and the final result (11-10) could have gone either way.
The home side showed plenty of guts as they held off a spirited effort by the visitors for the one-point victory.
Victoria Park opened the scoring when flyhalf Roshaan Stembull scored in the left corner after a full backline movement.
The hosts soon extended their lead to 8-0 with a penalty by Stembull.
Just before half time, Union scored a try in the corner through Juan van der Merwe, with the successful conversion by Josh Harper making it 8-7 at the break.
Midway through the second half, Harper kicked a penalty as Union took the lead for the first time. Victoria Park then launched a counter-attack and put Union under pressure, resulting in a penalty which Stembull slotted to earn his team victory.
Muir v S Mahlangu
A STRONG second half after a shoddy start saw Muir run in five tries to register a solid 33-8 victory over Solomon Mahlangu at Muir. The home side led 7-0 at the break.
Numerous errors and a failure to stick to their structures saw Muir battle to take control, with only a try by scrumhalf Yomelela Keswa, converted by flyhalf Abongile Sonjica, to show for their efforts in the first period.
Solomon Mahlangu capitalised on Muir's mistakes and kept themselves in the game by attacking from these errors and often catching the home side on the back foot.
Muir settled down quickly in the second half, with No 8 Mihlali Mosi crashing over in the corner after good interplay among backs and forwards.
The Solomon Mahlangu side claimed possession from the kick-off and used their big forwards to barge over for a try.
However, this lit a spark in the Muir side and they upped the tempo of the game, playing with greater purpose.
A well-worked set phase move saw fullback Daniel Courtney beat the defence and dot down under the posts. Sonjica converted to extend the lead.
Mahlangu chipped away at Muir's lead by kicking a penalty, but could make no further progress. Muir took control when centre Mihali Nobomvu crossed, with Sonjica converting, and the final nails were put in the coffin when left wing Xolela Daniels went over after good work by the forwards. Sonjica sealed victory by converting before the final whistle blew.
Courtney, on debut, had a solid game at the back and was well supported by Sonjica and the centre pairing of Lunathi Nxele and Nobomvu. Locks Ancel Velkers and Lungile Sonwabo did the hard work to lay the foundation from which Muir launched most of their attacks.
