Affies travelled to KES with a big target on their back painted by their performances since the 2021 schoolboy rugby started. Affies deserved the 15-11 win and if it was not for one or two bad decisions on the attack the score could have looked very different.
It was evident that a lot of work was put in by the Affies players and staff. The set pieces looked a lot better although they still struggled in the scrums against a heavier KES pack. Unfortunately the same could not be said of the back-three of Affies as they continued to struggle on defence.
KES understandably did look rusty in the beginning. However, they are a well-balanced team which will cause havoc in a match or two. Their gust and will kept them in a game which they should have lost by at least 25 points.
The first ten minutes of the first half was very even with the momentum with Affies as KES started to find their feet in their first outing.
11:20 Pressure applied by Affies in the KES 22m resulted in a penalty which resulted in a 5m line-out. Affies set up a driving maul from the lineout with lock Van Wyk Grotius who dotted down from the back of the maul. (00-05)
30:12 For most of the first half, Affies were the better side with flyhalf Riaan Gerber controlling the game with his boot. However, KES had their moments on attack and were rewarded with a converted penalty with 5 minutes to go by their flyhalf. (03-05)
Affies could look back at the first half as one of missed opportunities, however, full credit must go to KES for disrupting Affies attack with resolute defence.
37:12 KES started like a house on fire and dominated from the kickoff. Good forward play set up a maul 5 meter from Affies try-line. Quick ball to KES #14 saw him score an easy try for KES. (08-05)
42:18 The Affies back three continued to not impress as almost every kick by KES up-field lead to a turnover ball for KES. KES' number 10 convert his second penalty as the red lights starting to light up for Affies. (11-05).
Then came the moment that hopefully will be dealt with by the Affies management. Affies had a penalty awarded to them, 5 meters from the KES try-line. Affies scrumhalf tried to retrieve the ball from a KES player, after which scrumhalf Leyton Horn head-butted the KES player. No matter what was said between the players but this type of behaviour does not belong anywhere in modern civilization.
63:22 Affies dominated with their forwards as they launched one after the other attack on the KES defence without much success. It took a bullocking run by Affies 8thman Dillon Smith to put Affies back in the lead with a try underneath the poles. (11-12)
70:00 With Affies still strong on the attack Stephan Heymans kick a dropgoal to seal the win. (11-15)
Scorers:
KES: Try: #14. Penalties: #10 (2)
Affies: Tries: Van Wyk Grotius, Dillon Smith. Conversion: Stephan Heymans. Dropgoal: Stephan Heymans.