I ended our last article on the school as follow : "Watch this space...AND WATCH WE WILL MR PIENAAR". And that we certainly did. But it seems that it is not only at Ruggas.co.za where hard work and dedication is appreciated. Uncle Stoop must be the most knowledgeable school boy rugby enthusiast in the whole of Western Cape. Not everywhere appreciated for his directness and honesty but everybody listens when this old man speaks/writes. This is his opinion of what is happening at Parel Vallei.-
"Just as the Stellenbosch are used to living their lives in the shadow of neighbours Paul Roos, so their midweek visitors from Somerset West are accustomed to having to cope with a disturbing outflow of talent to that same institution.
The dramatic rugby transformation that has occurred at Parel Vallei over the last few years has been a talking point around the Peninsula recently. Such has been their success ratio that they have actually applied for – and may well receive – Premier B status sooner rather than later.
Not content with the school garnering attention only for their remarkable matric exams results every year, headmaster Dave Schenck has, since taking up the reins three and a half years ago, encouraged all role-players to challenge their comfort zones and aim for greatness in as many different spheres as possible.
With the inspired appointment of Thinus Pienaar as the school’s first master in charge of rugby, it’s not surprising that sparks have been visible in the vicinity on a pretty regular basis of late !
Parel Vallei's performance against Stellenbosch was a pleasant surprise. Their slick direct approach spoke of a dedication and tactical nous rarely found in the third tier.
After having gone behind – very much against the run of play – to a fine individual try by Boland Craven Week utility back Hanreco van Zyl and a penalty by scrumhalf Melkeano Davids, they had reduced the deficit to one point, 7-8 by the change-over, thanks to a great team try finished off by flyhalf Jason Oliemans and converted by outside entre Emile Booyens.
Parel Vallei then pulled ahead when hooker Werner Bock crossed the whitewash, leaving Booyens an easy conversion, and looked to have made the result safe with a third five-pointer by full-back Barend Marais.
The hosts weren’t quite finished yet and Van Zyl showed another flash of individual brilliance to put his side within striking distance, but that’s the way it stayed, leaving the Somerset West side 19-13 winners.
With half the team back next year, it’s unwise to bet against a continued upward trend in their progress."
This article was written before Parel Vallei drew 9 each against Pearson High of the Eastern Cape. Although Pearson is having a horrible season this year it is not the result that counts. It again shows a school, coaches and children willing to go the extra mile in searching for opportunities to develop and improve themselves. If this is the only lesson that these boys learn during their years at Parel Vallei it will be years well spent.