The first day of the 2009 Cape Schools Rugby Week was very entertaining and successful, with the Western Cape Schools getting an edge over their Eastern Cape rivals. A fairly early start due to the Lions Test match coverage at 3pm, saw Queens taking on arguably the best Cape Town schoolboy side, Wynberg. The form of these teams was well reflected in the game and Wynberg triumphed 28-3. Dale College then took on the big guns of Boland Landbou. This game was very entertaining with both teams running hard at the line. Boland were eventual winners 30-18, but Dale will take heart in the manner they broke the Landbou line on more than one occasion.
I certainly was looking forward to the Selborne Paarl Gim fixture, and the teams didn’t disappoint. They played their guts out, and the final score of 18-14 to Gim was hard on Selborne, as they camped on the Gim line for the last 5 minutes unable to get that winning score. The game was watched and supported by some of their well known old boys like Mark Boucher and Keith Andrews who could be seen smiling at the hard fought front row battle.
The only Eastern Cape team to win on Saturday was the Grey from PE. Their 27-21 win over the plucky Rondebosch side who were without some of their Craven week players, was hard earned, and if not for a try saving tackle at the death, they too may have come off second best to a Western Cape school.
In the final game, SACS kicked into gear for the first time this season, and ran out 50-15 winners against a determined but weaker Muir College side. This game was difficult to measure because although Muir don’t look like giant killers, they certainly didn’t go down without a fight. SACS on the other hand, scored some wonderful tries and seemed to gain confidence in their own abilities for a change.
Monday will see Selborne take on Rondebosch which will again be a another close one. SACS take on Dale in what could be one of the games of the week as far as I am concerned. Muir will have their plates full when they take on Paarl Gim. Queens will give Boland Landbou another tough game, and the final game will see Wynberg up against the Grey. We are bound to see more attractive school rugby, and all teams will be looking to stake a claim as the most respected of the week.
So, who will come out tops on Monday? The Western or Eastern Cape schools? It’s anyone’s guess. But I’m sure to be there absorbing the great atmosphere and vibe of another successful Cape Schools rugby day.
FROM SAXY.
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