Rampant Gymnasium, WHS storm into semi-final
Schools rugby
PSG Pro-Ed Academy's second and third matches within a week will conclude the league matches in the Standard Bank U19 Super League.
The Samsung WHS Kudu Bulls and Schoemans Group Windhoek Gymnasium Lions cemented their places in the semi-finals of the Standard Bank under 19 Super League with convincing victories on Saturday.With only two remaining matches this week (PSG Pro-Ed at home to Gymnasium on Wednesday, followed by Pro-Ed vs Autohaus Windhoek Affies next Saturday), neither will have any influence on the top-four already being decided (WHS, Gymnasium, Affies and Pro-Ed).
In Tsumeb, the Kudu Bulls overshadowed Compack Tsumeb Gimnasium 31-6, while the Lions overwhelmed the OK Foods Moria Bears 79-3 in Windhoek.
At Stampriet, Elnatan had to concede a 26-17 loss against in-form Pro-Ed, while Windhoek Affies accounted for PSG Walvis Bay Private School’s Naartjies by putting 38-7 on the scoreboard at Affies Park.
Johan Adriaanse, coach of Elnatan, says his team started off well and were ahead 14-5 at halftime, but threw the game away in the second half. Adriaanse said their hooker Marnus Botma, nr. 8 Markus Meyer, flyhalf Antonio Titus and inside centre JR Strydom played very well.
Thys Saunders, coach of Pro-Ed, said: “It was a hard clash and our boys say it was one of the most difficult of the year. We once again performed well in the scrums and lineouts and the backline looks good with ball in hand. Our defence is not too bad either.
“But we concede too many penalties. Especially when we are on the front foot, we still make silly mistakes and decisions. I am proud of my team, because it was important to win this one.
“There are no easy teams and to come from 17-5 behind and achieve a win, was not easy.”
The Gymnasium Lions dominated from the first minute in every department against Moria. The Bears tried their best, however, but the hosts’ scrum and lineout work constantly forced the visitors on the back foot.
Moria’s tenacious defence and courage deserve praise while the Lions should be admired for their excellent play. The return of their nr. 8 and captain Janneman Brand and lock Zander le Roux from injury should also provide a further timely boost to the defending champions.
Points scorers
Lions (79) tries (13) by right wing Suramie Kambombo (3), left wing Carlo Hawanga (3), nr. 8 Janneman Brand, flanks Zack von Wielligh and Ruan Agenbag, full-back Janré van Zyl, locks Heinrich Geldenhuys and Zander le Roux, hooker Hendré Schader. Fly-half JW Visagie added 7 conversions.
Moria Bears (3): One penalty by fly-half Francois von Solms.
Pro-Ed (26). Tries by fly-half Maughan Jarma, left wing Cobus Esterhyzen and fullback AJ Wohler. Jarman added one conversion and three penalties.
Elnatan (17), tries by inside centre JR Strydom and lock Dyline Narib. JR Strydom kicked two conversions and one penalty.
WHS Kudu Bulls (31), tries by flank McHenry Kambatuku, scrum-half Dominique Isaaks, wings Jurgen Meyer and Lamarque Rieth, replacement forward Jaythen Orange. Conversions by fly-half William Beukes and centre Davito van Wyk (2).
Tsumeb Gym (6) penalty kicks 2: Full-back FJ Fourie.
Affies (38), tries by hooker Delano van den Berg (2), flank Walther Otto (2), fly-half Van der Merwe Tromp (2). Conversions (4) by Tromp.
Naartjies (7), try by outside centre Keanu Polster, converted by fly-half Michael Koopman.
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