The third and final day of the KES Easter Rugby Festival takes place today (Monday 18). Steady rainfall throughout most of Saturday, the second day of the festival, made play difficult with the slippery ball and affected the running rugby seen on the first day.
Despite the weather, however, Saturday’s excellent turnout of spectators was entertained by some exciting play from the six mostly evenly contested fixtures.
08h00 Northwood (87,348) vs Centurion (73,830)
Northwood had a good win (25-19) against Hudson Park but did come a bid unstuck against Queen's College and would like to end the festival off with a good win. Centurion unfortunately did not live up to expectations and is still looking for their first win at KES, and unfortunately, I can not see them beating Northwood.
09h10 Queen's (84,933) vs Durbanville (83,692)
Apart from the last fixture of the day, this is definately the highlight of the day.
Durbanville has shown since 2021 that they are working hard at their rugby and although they did not have a great start to the season they are still unbeaten at this festival.
Queen's loss to KES with only one point followed by a great win (22-03) against Northwood showed that they are at the festival not only to excite but also to win.
This will be a close game, however, the boys from the Eastern Cape play such an exciting 15 man type of rugby that I know who will be the crowd's favourite, as well as mine.
10h20 Jeppe (91,302) vs Dale (82,351)
Although Jeppe did not excite up to date one has to make them the favourites against Dale College who must still be struggling to process the death of their two teammates. However, if they can look past the tragedy expect these brilliant boys to give Jeppe a run for their money during the first forty minutes of the match.
11h30 Ben Vorster (79,646) vs Nico Malan (73,7758)
Ben Vorster should be the favourites of the bookies, however, they are struggling this year and it could just give Nico Malan the opportunity to send the boys from Tzaneen back home with only one win during the festival.
12h40 Hudson Park (85,770) vs Trinityhouse (54,988)
Unfortunately, a miss-match of note and Hudson Park should cruise home.
13h50 KES (93,471) vs Eldoraigne (81,463)
David vs Goliath? Both teams are unbeaten and expect Eldoraigne, who is having a brilliant 2022 to make it extremely difficult for their hosts during the opening first forty minutes of the match.
Unfortunately, the class, strength and speed of KES should see them remaining unbeaten in their festival.
Results:
14 April 2022
Trinity House 12-40 Northcliff
Nico Malan 21-52 Durbanville
Ben Vorster 22-12 Centurion
Jeppe Inv XV 12-20 Eldoraigne
KES 37-36 Queen's
Northwood 25-19 Hudson Park
16 April 2022
Durbanville 66-07 Centurion
Nico Malan 26-05 Trinityhouse
Eldoraigne 33-05 Ben Vorster
Queens 22-03 Northwood
Jeppe 16-10 Hudson Park
KES 32-03 Dale
