Grey College showed several early season niggles in their match against Trio at the Hester van der Walt Sportdag hosted by Hoërskool President Steyn, which they won 38-10 after sixty minutes of play.
As expected both Grey and Trio "struggled" with interplay and distribution between the players. Grey was dominant, especially in the first half, showing several flashes of individual brilliance which will make them "difficult" opponents. A lot of work upfront will resolve the lineouts while their mauls were already brilliant. In short, Grey has big forwards that CAN maul and carry the ball aggressively, while their backline has speed, flair and some scary runners.
It is a bit unfair to judge Trio against a top team like Grey, however, they are already a well-coached team with one or two monsters upfront while their speed and great handling at the back impressed. However, what impressed the most was the fighting spirit they showcased in the second half restricting Grey to just one try.
Grey College opened the scoring after three minutes of pay in the first half when Steven Muller sniped past the side of a five-meter lineout maul. Darius Erwee converted to extend Grey College's lead to 07-00.
Jayden Windvogel added a penalty for Trio after seven minutes of play to cut Grey's lead to 07-03.
A bullocking ran by AJ Hendriks who offloaded to Ethan Adams who ran a great line to score Grey College's second try, which was converted by Darius Muller to extend Grey's lead to 14-00.
Jaelon Jones picked up a bouncing ball dropped by Grey to score in the corner which Jayden Windvogel converted. Grey led 14-10 after twenty minutes of play.
Minutes later Toriqe Schambreel sold a brilliant dummy and scored Grey's third try which Marius Erwee converted to extend Grey's lead to 21-10
Prop EJ Badenhorst scored Grey's fourth try in the first half bulldozing his way past and over several Trio defenders to extend Grey's lead to 28-10.
Just before the halftime break Ethan Adams scored his second try out wide to go into the halftime break leading 33-10.
Following twelve minutes of play in the second half, Grey College attacked off a five-meter line out. Grey spread the ball wide for Benjamin vd Bergh to score in the corner to extend Grey's lead to 38-10, which was also the final score.
All schoolboy rugby supporters' eyes will be on Hoërskool President Steyn in Bloemfontein on Saturday when the giants of the Free State schools will open their 2025 rugby season.
Other results:
A Field (1stXV)
Sand du Plessis 31-08 Henneman
Wolmaransstad 22-07 Bultfontein
Louis Botha HTS 03-00 Zastron
President Steyn 00-22 Wessel Maree
Lichtenburg 50-00 Postmasburg
Staats President Swart 10-47 Hoopstad
Grey College (Cherries) 36-00 Sentraal Bloemfontein
Jim Fouche 12-24 Welkom Gim
Grey College 38-10 Trio
