Photo Credit - Paarl Gimnasium Facebook
The much-awaited first of the two major clashes in the Paarl this Saturday between Paarl Gimnasium and Paul Roos Gimnasium kicked off with a very closely contested match expected.
Paarl Gimnasium was the team to beat, after playing next level rugby so far this season with wins over Grey College (18-16), Garsfontein (84-0) and Helpmekaar (52-5). Paul Roos on the other hand, only played one match against Boland Landbou beating them convincingly 45-21 and was viewed as the “dark horse” for this match.
The match started as a tight encounter however Paarl Gimnasium again delivered efficient, calm and well-structured rugby to dominate territory and possession, allowing them to control the play for the majority of the match. They used their very effective forward runners and driving mauls to deconstruct the Paul Roos defence, systematically forcing penalties in the Paul Roos quarter to score from there.
Paul Roos received a yellow card for foul play within the first 10 minutes but managed to only concede 3 points with 14 players on the field. Paarl Gimnasium was in the lead 15-7 by the end of the first half.
Paul Roos managed to gain a bit more possession and territory at the beginning of the second half and added 3 penalty points to their score to make it 15-10. However, Paarl Gimnasium soon took control of the play again and launched repeated attacks on the Paul Roos try line. The Paul Roos defence held up well and forced some mistakes from Paarl Gimnasium which resulted in lost scoring opportunities. This prevented a much larger winning score margin than the final score of 25-10.
04:34 Try scored by Paarl Gimnasium No 14 Opperman after a barging run from a line out. Converted by No 10 Koen (7-0).
09:51 Yellow card issued to Paul Roos No 15 Julius for foul play.
18:02 Penalty kick by Paarl Gimnasium No 10 Koen (10-0).
19:15 Paul Roos enters Paarl Gimnasium’s quarter for first time in the match.
24:50 Try scored by Paul Roos No 15 Julius after a chip kick and gather against the run of play, Converted by No 10 De Bruyn (10-7).
31:20 Try scored by Paarl Gimnasium No 1 Lavagna from a driving maul. Conversion missed by No 10 Koen (15-7).
42:10 Penalty kick by Paul Roos No 10 De Bruyn (15-10).
49:35 Try scored by Paarl Gimnasium No 10 Koen and converted by him (22-10).
61:02 Penalty kick by Paarl Gimnasium No 10 Koen (25-10).
Final Score 25-10 with Gimmies as the well-deserved winners
Scorers:
Paarl Gimnasium: Tries: Opperman, Lavagna and Koen. Conversions: Koen (2). Penalties: Koen (2).
Paul Roos Gimnasium: Try: Julius. Conversion: De Bruyn. Penalty: De Bruyn.
Aticle by: Francois du Toit