WYNBERG’S ALEXANDER RUNS RIOT OVER SACS

Wynberg Boys’ High hooker Jason Alexander scored five tries as Wynberg romped to a resounding 46-22 (halftime: 17-10) win over The South African College High School (SACS). The traditional derby between the two oldest schools in South Africa was scheduled to be played at Wynberg in the middle of a predicted storm but thankfully that never arrived and the match was played in very pleasant conditions.

The teams felt each other out over the first quarter with SACS having more territory and possession but the score being locked up at 3-all. On seventeen minutes the Jason Alexander Show kicked off as he burst through a ruck and raced clear, beating two SACS defenders, to score. Less than five minutes later after SACS had failed to clear their lines properly Wynberg were on the attack again. A lineout ball was punched up by the forwards and a few phases later Wynberg scrumhalf Matthew Demonze scored. Both tries were converted by centre Devon Pretorius and at 17-3 things were looking ominous for SACS, who needed to strike back.

SACS duly did so on thirty minutes through a driving maul, which saw SACS hooker Anathi Kalipa flop over. Fullback Ross Letcher converted to see SACS trailing by seven at the half.

SACS were right back in it immediately after half time as lock Storm Balchin peeled off a maul about forty metres from the Wynberg tryline and raced clear up the blindside to score. At 17-15 SACS were back in the game but a lack of concentration at the ensuing kick-off saw them concede an unnecessary penalty. Wynberg duly kicked to the corner and scored with their second attempted maul via the man of the moment, hooker Jason Alexander.

SACS were now nine points behind and what followed was a crucial passage of play. SACS had an extended period of possession inside the Wynberg twenty-two metre area. Like the previous week against Rondebosch they failed to capitalise on possession and territory. After hammering away at the Wynberg defence for what seemed like an eternity they came away with nothing.

With ten minutes to play Wynberg eventually managed to get back onto the attack and were awarded a penalty which they converted to go twelve points clear.

In the final seven minutes the crowd were treated to some helter-skelter, razzle-dazzle rugby to end off a long and exciting term. Four tries were scored as the game opened up. Jason Alexander scoring three himself and Jean Minnaar, SACS flank, one after a lovely counter-attack by the visitors.

The final try from Alexander really sealed a memorable performance for the young man as he scooped up a ball that squirted out of a ruck inside the Wynberg twenty-two metre area and ran all of ninety metres to score in front of the adoring home fans.

Wynberg have had a stellar term of rugby winning nine of their twelve matches with notable wins over Boland Landbou and Grey High. Their hooker Jason Alexander will surely be seen on TV at Craven Week in the holidays while his team mates enjoy a well-earned rest.

SACS have had a disappointing term after their flying start at the St. Stithians Easter Festival. They have no boys in Craven Week reckoning and will head off to Zimbabwe in the June/July holiday looking to regather some confidence and form leading into the final five matches of the season.

Scorers:

Wynberg

Tries: Jason Alexander (5), Matthew Demonze

Conversions: 12 Devon Pretorius (4), 15 Di Livio van Wyk

Penalties: Pretorius (2)

SACS

Tries: Anathi Kalipa, Jean Minnaar, Storm Balchin

Conversions: Ross Letcher (2)

Penalty: Letcher