Grey College 17-22 Paarl Gim
The most eagerly awaited game of the 2022 season started with Paal Gim stopping several promising Grey College attacks within meters of where they started, This resulted in an early converted penalty for Gim to give them an early lead with 03-00 after six minutes of play.
The next ten minutes of the match took place in the half of Paarl Gim which ended in a converted penalty for Grey College to level the scores at three points each and sixteen minutes to play.
Gim almost struck back immediately, however, the decisive defence by Grey turned defence into attack, resulting in Grey College applying a lot of pressure on Paarl Gim.
However, as the game progressed Paarl Gim started to claw themselves back into the game and they finished the first half the stronger team, setting up camp in the 22m of Grey College.
A mistake by Gim on their way to score a try saw Grey picking up the loose ball and scoring at the opposite side of the field. Grey College took a maybe "lucky" lead of 10-03 going into the halftime break.
Paarl Gim started the second half the way they ended the first and scored a well-worked try four minutes into the second half to level the score at ten points all. A second try by Gim five later gave them a well deserved five-point lead, with a definite shift of momentum favouring Gim.
With eight minutes left on the clock, the pressure from Paarl Gim resulted in their third unanswered try to lead 22-10 with six minutes to go. A last-minute try by Grey college was unfortunately not enough to rescue the game as well as their position at the top of the 1stXV rankings.
Paarl Gim deservedly won the match 22-17 and regained the crown of the best 1stXV team in South Africa.
Paarl Boishaai 27-03 Monnas
The penultimate match of the last day of the Wildeklawer Festival saw Boishaai start the match like a house on fire running the ball at the Monnas defence with high speed and intensity using both their forwards and backs to try and create gaps in the Monnas defence. This resulted in Monnas conceding a penalty just inside their quarter which Boishaai kicked to open their scoring tally 3-0 after 4 minutes played in the half.
Monnas responded by playing into the Boishaai quarter with a penalty kick for the line from where they launched a driving maul. Boishaai conceded another penalty and Monnas attacked the try line again, however, Boishaai in a typical fashion when defending their try line, ripped the ball from the Monnas player and kicked it out downfield relieving the pressure.
Monnas kept Boishaai pinned in their half for a long period of time and was awarded an opportunity to kick for the uprights from a penalty conceded by Boishaai in their half, which Monnas used to equal the score at 03-03.
Monnas soon forced Boishaai back into their half until Boishaai managed to run the ball down the sideline into the Monnas quarter where the scrambling Monnas defence managed to prevent a possible Boishaai try-scoring opportunity.
With 4 minutes left in the half, Boishaai played into the Monnas half with a good driving maul forcing Monnas to concede a penalty. Boishaai opted to take a quick tap and caught the Monnas defence somewhat napping which enabled them to score a converted try and take a 10-03 lead. With no time left in the half, Boishaai kicked for a penalty lineout in the Monnas' quarter from where they launched a devastating driving maul to score a converted try. The halftime score was 17-03.
The second half saw Monnas attacking into the Boishaai quarter with a good driving maul from a penalty lineout, however, they were given a yellow card and a penalty against them which allowed Boishaai to get away from their try line and play into the Monnas territory for the first time in the half after 9 minutes of play. They launched an attacking run with their backline but conceded a penalty which allowed Monnas to play into their half where Boishaai conceded a penalty.
Monnas kicked for the line but lost their lineout ball and then conceded a penalty which allowed Boishaai to play into their half with a lineout kick. They launched an attacking run and Monnas conceded a penalty just outside their quarter which Boishaai elected to kick and increase their lead to 20-03 with 11 minutes left in the match.
With 5 minutes left in the match, Boishaai upped the tempo with a combination of very aggressive attack and defence forcing Monnas into their quarter. Monnas conceded a penalty and Boishaai kicked for the line 5 metres from the Monnas try line. They launched a powerful driving maul from the penalty lineout and scored a converted try to seal a well-deserved 27-03 victory.
Paul Roos 18-21 Garsfontein
One of the matches that promised to be a close-fought encounter started with a Paul Roos player receiving a yellow card for a tackle on a player in the air who received the kick-off. The match settled into an arm wrestle for territory until Garsfontein was penalised in their quarter and Paul Roos opted to kick for the points opening their scoring tally with 3-0 after 7 minutes played in the half.
Garsfontein tried to get their dangerous backline going on a few occasions however the Paul Roos rush defence disrupted them and prevented them from gaining good territory. Garsfontein also tried some good tactical kicking to try and turn Paul Roos however Paul Roos managed to gather the ball.
Paul Roos absorbed the pressure and managed to effectively break the Garsfontein defensive line for the first time after 17 minutes of play to score a try extending their lead to 8-0. They kept Garsfontein pinned in their half for the next 7 minutes until they conceded a penalty and Garsfontein managed to play into the Paul Roos half.
However, Garsfontein was unable to get close to the Paul Roos try line who kept on forcing them back into their half. With 5 minutes left in the half, Garsfontein managed to create a good attacking opportunity with a long kick into the Paul Roos quarter, however handling errors by Garsfontein spoiled their moment. The halftime score was 08-00.
The second half started with Paul Roos playing into the Garsfontein quarter kicking for a penalty lineout from which they initially launched a driving maul and then passed the ball for runners who attacked the try line scoring a converted try to extend their lead to 15-00.
The second half unfolded the same as the first with Garsfontein being unable to break the Paul Roos defence who in turn ran the ball at Garsfontein with speed and intensity forcing them to concede a penalty on defence which they kicked to take their score to 18-00.
With 15 minutes left in the match, Garsfontein managed to kick a penalty for the line 5 metres from the Paul Roos try line. They then launched a driving maul from where they quickly played the ball down the backline which enabled them to beat the Paul Roos defence out wide and score a converted try to open their scoring tally at 18-07.
Garsfontein score another brilliant converted try from a quick tap penalty taken in the Paul Roos quarter to close the scoring gap to 18-14 with 5 minutes left in the match. Garsfontein was given another yellow card which did not bode well for their chances to win the match.
With no time left on the clock and it seemed that it was all over, Garsfontein managed to collect a loose ball in the Paul Roos half and break through the disorganised Paul Roos defence to score a try and win the match 21-18 with a great second-half comeback.
Affies 49-14 Glenwood
Affies drew first blood with a converted try after threatening for the first eight minutes of the game combining great interplay with speed and aggression on the attack. Glenwood absorbed a lot of pressure in the initial stages of the match and started to enjoy territorial advantage after the first ten minutes of play.
Glenwood scored a try in the corner being rewarded after camping in the Affies 22m for a good ten minutes to level the score at seven points each. Affies responded immediately with a try of their own under the poles to reclaim the lead with 14-07.
The second try in five minutes by Affies stretched their lead to 21-07. The Affies backline's aggressive running forced gaps in the defence of Glenwood, allowing Affies to attack from far out, scoring spectacular tries. Affies added another two tries during the last minutes of the first half to go into the halftime break leading 35-07.
Affies at that stage of the match were in complete control while Glenwood had their moments which was stopped by a well structured and committed defence from Affies.
The second half started with Affies forcing Glenwood into their quarter from where they applied attacking pressure with their forwards forcing Glenwood to commit penalties. Affies were rewarded for their efforts when they scored a converted try under the uprights. to extend their lead to 42-07.
Glenwood responded by forcing Affies into their quarter attacking the try line and managed to score a converted try in the corner taking the score to 42-14 with 20 minutes left in the match.
With only one minute to play Affies scored yet another try to win 49-14 in yet another brilliant display of running rugby from the Witbulle.
Oakdale 20-12 DHS
It took Oakdale twelve minutes to score twice after being on the attack from the start of the game. The big boys of Oakdale dominated a willing but unfortunate lesser aggressive DHS side with their direct and aggressive attack and defence.
As the first half continued DHS clawed their way back into the game and although they had one or two scoring opportunities the defence of Oakdale held. Oakdale converted a penalty just before the halftime break to lead 17-00, however, DHS just the last few minutes of the match to score under the poles to go into the shed trailing with 07-17.
DHS started the second half as they ended the first and "surprisingly" started to put pressure on the defence of Oakdale, unfortunately, DHS started to fade during the last 15 minutes of the match as Oakdale's replacements made their way onto the field.
A solitary penalty conversion by Oakdale during the first twenty minutes in the second half was the only point scored, with both teams happy to kick for territory, hoping for the defending team to make mistakes.
DHS scored a great try with two minutes left on the clock, however, the good first twenty minutes by Oakdale was good enough to secure a win in a match which unfortunately ended in a bit of a bore.
Outeniqua 36-10 Diamantveld
Outeniqua started the match by gaining good territory with clinical play until they scored a very good try from within the Diamantveld quarter after 3 minutes of play when they beat the Diamantveld defence out wide to open their scoring tally 5-0.
Diamantveld played into the Outeniqua quarter after 7 minutes with a very good line kick but turned the ball over by conceding a penalty allowing Outeniqua to get out of their half. Outeniqua conceded a penalty just inside their half and Diamantveld opted to take the long-range kick, however, the ball hit the crossbar.
Diamantveld managed to keep Outeniqua pinned in their half for a long period of time but Outeniqua managed to play into their half by kicking a loose ball upfield with 10 minutes left in the half. From there they played the ball down the backline at speed from a scrum and beat the Diamantveld defence out wide to score a converted try extending their lead to 12-0.
Diamantveld immediately responded with a kick deep into the Outeniqua quarter with the restart of play where the receiver was smothered conceding a penalty which Diamantveld kicked to open their scoring tally 12-3 with 4 minutes left in the half.
Outeniqua then got more possession and ran the ball up with their forwards to create space for the speedsters in their backline who with very slick handling, scored another converted try out wide beating the scrambling Diamantveld defence taking the halftime score to 19-3.
The second half started with Outeniqua using the backline speedsters and their agility to consistently beat the first time Diamantveld tacklers. They scored another try again, beating the Diamantveld defence out wide to increase their lead 24-3.
Outeniqua started to settle in and control the possession and territory scoring a converted try from a good driving maul to take their score to 31-3 with 12 minutes left in the match.
The status quo of the play remained with Outeniqua scoring another try after driving over the line taking their score to 36-3. However, Diamantveld had the last say in the match when they scored a converted try after the hooter taking the score to 36-10 which was the final score of the match. Diamantveld must be credited for their very gutsy and determined defence which kept Outeniqua and the scoreline in check.
Stellenberg 42-17 Menlopark
Menlo Park drew first blood in the match when they kicked a penalty to open the score 3-0. However, Stellenberg soon responded when they attacked into the Menlo quarter and scored a try from a quick tap penalty driving over the Menlo try line to take the lead at 3-7.
Stellenberg then scored a brilliant try when the ball was chased and collected from a kick ahead down the sideline extending their lead to 3-14. They then attacked into the Menlo Park half with good ball carries up to their try line where they drove over the line to score their third try which was converted taking their score to 3-21 with 18 minutes left in the half.
Stellenberg continued to play the ball down the backline and run at Menlo with speed and intensity keeping the Menlo Park defence very busy. Menlo Park however absorbed the pressure and managed to play themselves into a good scoring possession when they kicked for a penalty lineout 5 metres from the Stellenberg try line. They however botched the throw-in and this gave Stellenberg some breathing space.
Soon thereafter Stellenberg intercepted the ball being passed down the Menlo Park backline and scored a converted try to increase their lead to 3-28 with 8 minutes left in the half. Stellenberg was now in control of the match and scored another converted try when they sliced through the Menlo Park defence after the ball was set up and provided by strong forward driving play in the Menlo Park quarter. The halftime score was 3-35.
The second half started with better play by Menlo Park who placed Stellenberg under pressure in their half for the first 15 minutes, however, mistakes by Menlo Park prevented them from building good momentum and relieved the pressure on Stellenberg.
Stellenberg eventually managed to play themselves out of their half and clinically played the ball down the backline from left to right stretching the Menlo defence, which could not prevent them from scoring a brilliant converted try out wide to increase their lead 3-42.
With 4 minutes left in the match, Menlo Park managed to intercept the ball from the Stellenberg backline and scored a converted try to take their score to 10-42. Stellenberg then conceded a number of successive penalties which allowed Menlo Park to attack their try line and score another converted try right at the end of the match which ended at 17-42.
Drostdy HTS 14-15 Waterkloof
The match started at a frenetic pace with both sides happy to make the ball do the talking. There was no score in the first ten minutes of the match with Drostdy missing the only opportunity both teams had to convert a penalty.
Waterkloof scored the first points of the match with a try following a great break from their eightman to score under the poles. With five minutes left on the clock, Drostdy threw everything they had at Waterkloof, however, spirited defence by Waterkloof kept the score unchanged with Waterkloof in the lead 07-00 at the halftime break.
Waterkloof scored the first points of the second half with a well-worked try to stretch their lead to 12-00. Drostdy HTS's reply was immediate as they scored their first points with a converted try to reduce the lead of Waterkloof to five points.
Waterkloof added another converted penalty to make this a two-score match and ten minutes of rugby to go. Drostdy HTS responded immediately with a brilliant converted try in the corner to reduce Waterkloof's lead to just one point and six minutes to go.
Unfortunately, the fighting spirit of Drostdy could not do the trick this time and Drostdy ran out of time and luck losing with one point against Waterkloof with 14-15.
Maritzburg College 16-25 Helpmekaar
Helpmekaar opened the score with a converted penalty almost from the kickoff. Maritzburg College struck back almost immediately with a brilliant try down the line to establish an early lead of 10-03. Helpmekaar absorbed the initial pressure from Maritzburg College and manage to set up camp in the Maritzburg half for an extended period.
Unfortunately for Helpmekaar, they could not convert their advantage to points on the board due to making several unforced errors on the attack which helped Maritzburg easily absorb the pressure from the boys from Jo'Burg.
Helpmekaar eventually scored their first try with four minutes left on the clock after some great work by their forwards, demolishing the normally dominant scrum of Maritzburg College five meters from their tryline. A second converted penalty by Maritzburg Collge saw them going into the halftime break with a 13-08 lead.
During the initial stages of the second half the game started to open up quite a bit which suited Helpmekaar, however, the defensive structures of Maritzburg combine with several errors by Helpmekaar on the attack kept the scoreboard quite. Maritzburg were happy to convert penalties and with 20 minutes left on the clock were 16-08 in the lead.
A mistake by Maritzburg on the defence gave Helpmekaar the opportunity to swarm the defence of Maritzburg and scored their second try of the match and narrowed the gap to 13-16. Several missed opportunities at the poles cost Maritzburg a lot of points as the ill-discipline of Helpmekaar just continued unabated.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Helpmekaar's territorial dominance led to their third try to go into the lead for the first time of the match with 18-16. A fourth brilliant try by Helpmekaar sealed a convincing win for the boys in brown.
Boland Landbou 47-07 Noord Kaap
Boland Landbou drew early blood when they scored a driving maul try which was converted within the first 2 minutes of the match. They scored another converted try when the prop burst over the try line to increase their lead to 14-0.
Noord Kaap managed to attack into the Boland Landbou quarter but was unable to score. Boland Landbou took the game back into the Noord Kaap half where they kept them pinned until Noord Kaap broke the Boland defence and played up to their try line where they tried to get over the line, however, the Boland Landbou defence held up.
Boland Landbou managed to run the ball out of their half but dropped the ball. This gave Noord Kaap the opportunity to kick it downfield and take the play up the Boland Landbou try line where they again attacked being unable to score. Boland Landbou scored another converted try at the end of the half to take their score to 21-0 which was the halftime score.
The second half started with Boland Landbou scoring another try increasing their lead to 26-0. Noord Kaap responded by playing up to the Boland Landbou try line with a blistering run down the sideline by the winger from where they scored a try to open their scoring tally 26-7.
In the 40th minute of the match, Boland Landbou played the ball up from a scrum in the Noord Kaap half using their big forwards. The ball was then passed to the winger who scored in the corner. The try was converted, taking the score to 33-7.
8 Minutes later Boland Landbou who was by now well in control of the match, played the ball wide quickly in the Noord Kaap half beating their defence to score another converted try taking the score to 40-7.
With 5 minutes left in the match, a Boland Landbou player was given a yellow for a dangerous tackle. However, playing with one less player did not deter Boland Landbou from attacking the Noord Kaap try line where they were awarded a penalty try for a dangerous tackle on one of their players who was on his way to score a try. The match ended with Boland Landbou as the convincing victor.
Welkom Gim 24-07 Framesby
The first match of the final day of the Wildeklawer Festival started with the sun still busy rising over a crispy Kimberley morning. Framesby opened their scoring tally very early in the first half with 7-0 by scoring a converted try from a maul that was set up from a penalty lineout in the Welkom Gim quarter.
Welkom managed to keep Framesby pinned in their half for a long period with a combination of good aggressive ball carries and tactical kicking. When Framesby did manage to attack back into the Welkom Gim quarter, the ball was turned over and Welkom Gim scored a brilliant converted try running the ball from within their quarter to even the score 7-7 after 11 minutes played in the half.
The match then became an arm wrestle with each team not conceding much in terms of possession and territory. Welkom Gim conceded a penalty in their half in the 19th minute which Framesby kicked to retake the lead 10-7. They then attacked into the Welkom Gim quarter at the end of the half and drove over the try line with a strong driving maul but the resilient Welkom Gim defence turned the ball over to end the half with the score at 7-7.
The second half saw Framesby attacking up to the Welkom Gim try line with string ball carries. They then camped on the try line however they botched two try-scoring opportunities with poor handling which turned the ball over to Welkom Gim who played themselves out of trouble. Welkom Gim immediately attacked up to the Framesby try line in response but was also unable to score.
Framesby scored another converted try when they collected the ball from a lineout close to the Welkom Gim try line to increase their lead to 17-7 with 7 minutes left in the match. They scored another converted try when they drove over the try line right at the end of the match taking the victory 24-7.
