1stXV Match Report vs Tygerberg0 comments

 

The South African College High School (SACS) 1st XV suffered a disappointing 11-8 defeat to Hoërskool Tygerberg  on Friday afternoon. After heavy overnight rain the game was played in sunny and dry conditions in the cradle of Table Mountain. Unfortunately the rugby wasn’t as pretty as the scenery and like the previous week SACS were again guilty of to many mistakes.

 

Playing their second league game of the season SACS couldn’t get out of jail a second time. Having scored in injury time to beat Huguenot last week SACS flyhalf Michael Mohle was unable to covert a penalty six minutes from time, which would have seen them draw the game.

 

Tygerberg started the game applying pressure close to the SACS line, their heavy pack forcing SACS onto the back foot. Tygerberg flyhalf Andre Claasen missed with a drop goal attempt. SACS broke out of their 22-metre area to relieve the pressure and then hit the upright with a long-range penalty attempt.

 

SACS eventually opened the scoring with a well-worked try. After rolling a maul up the left hand side of the field SACS spun the ball wide to their backs. A simple skip pass saw right-wing Zaid Dames find himself in space. He beat two defenders before cutting inside the fullbacks to score a wonderful individual try. Just before the break Tygerberg missed with another penalty attempt to leave SACS five points to the good at the interval.

 

Tygerberg played with the light wind at their backs in the second half and were able to dominate territory using Claasen’s big left boot. Tygerberg got on the scoreboard early in the second half as Claasen converted a penalty. Fifteen minutes into the second half Tygerberg scored what would prove to be the winning try. They got the ball wide in the SACS 22-metre area and their powerful outside centre burst through a tackle. The cover defence got hold of him but he continued to surge for the line with a number of defenders holding onto him. He crashed over the line but SACS scrumhalf James McClure emerged holding the ball. The referee was a few metres behind the action but awarded the try to see Tygerberg take an 8-5 lead.    

 

With SACS looking vulnerable at the back Tygerberg were happy to try and pin them down in their half. With the referee regularly issuing penalties both teams had further opportunities to increase their scores. SACS did draw level before Claasen again put Tygerberg in front, much to the delight of their travelling supporters.

 

SACS had their chances near the end but poor option taking, especially on the counter-attack meant they never really threatened to Tygerberg try-line. The chance to draw the game came and went as did the opportunity to get a morale boosting win before going into the big derby games starting in two weeks time.

 

SACS scorers:

 

Try: Zaid Dames

Penalty: Michael Mohle

 

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