The much-anticipated FNB Classic Clash between the South African College High School (SACS) and Wynberg Boy’s High School was won 20-nil by the pre-match favourites, Wynberg.
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Playing at home SACS dominated territory and possession for most of the game but did not have the firepower to break down the Wynberg defence. Wynberg looked the far superior team when they had ball in hand in opposition territory but they didn’t get into that position often enough. The four times they visited the SACS 22-metre area they came away with tries, apart from that they didn’t produce much rugby. Wynberg flyhalf Kieran Goss missed with all four conversions.
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The opening stanza of the game summed up proceedings. SACS got the ball and plugged way at the gain line without really putting it in much danger. Wynberg turned SACS over and kicked downfield. From a scrum in the SACS half Wynberg put the ball through a few phases before skipping it wide to their burly wing Zingisa Ndiki. Ndiki revved up and waltzed over for the score with his opposite number Bradley Kayton not making much effort to stop him. Wynberg looked slick and classy and their supporters must have been salivating at the prospect of revenging the huge defeat they suffered at the same venue last year.
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After some off-the-ball play by SACS hooker Jason Dimio Wynberg were awarded a penalty soon after. Goss kicked to the corner and Wynberg, with No. 8 Ryan Lok in control of the ball, easily drove the SACS pack over. Goss continued to play for territory and when Wynberg turned over a SACS scrum ball soon after they virtually produced a carbon copy of their first try. Wide to Craven Week wing Ndiki and over! Ndiki is a sight to behold in full flight and it’s going to interesting to see how he goes at Craven Week in a few weeks time.
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Wynberg were in control and having all but put the game to bed should have been looking to rub salt in the wounds of their archrivals. SACS continued to produce the plucky play that has seen them run superior opposition close over the last few weeks though and were awarded a penalty kick at poles before the interval. Flyhalf Michael Mohle was off target, leaving the score at 15-nil at the half.
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Mohle’s kicking and general play were not up to scratch all day and from an errant clearance Wynberg left-wing Rameesh Mentoor produced a good counter-attacking run. From this Wynberg produced a sustained period of pressure. Eventually a well-executed backline move from a five-yard scrum saw fullback Dylan Frylink cruise in virtually untouched next to the uprights.
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SACS got the better of the penalty count in the second half and attacked on a number of occasions from lineouts in the Wynberg 22-metre area. SACS tried first to run and then to drive but were again unsuccessful in breaking Wynberg down. Wynberg had one last shot at extending their lead after SACS fullback Abubaker Jappie botched a switch with Kayton but they were for once unable to score.
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Both teams would not be entirely happy with their performances but have an opportunity next week to rectify things when they face Eastern Cape opposition at the Cape Schools Week to be hosted by SACS.
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Scorers:
Wynberg Boy’s High
Tries: Zingisa Ndiki (2), Dylan Frylink, Ryan Lok
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