KES fight back to secure a draw against College

May 9 • General News, Premier Schools • 4200 Views • Comments Off on KES fight back to secure a draw against College

The third installment of the Premier Schools Tournament contested by KES and Maritzburg College delivered a pulsating game of schoolboy rugby.

KES scored five tries to the four of Matitzburg in a wonderful display of free-flowing rugby that ended in a 32 all draw.

The home side was first to score through center, Kennedy Mpeku, after he connected with his brother, Leon, in the midfield. Flyhallf, Marc Morrison, added the extras to take his side to a 7 – 0 lead after 14 minutes.

The try scorer was called on eight minutes later to take a 48 meter penalty, which he sent through the uprights.

The visitors struck back immediately from the restart through flanker, Matthew Diedricks, after a skillful touch by tighthead prop, Andrew Reintges.

Live-wire Maritzburg number 6, Andile Khanyile, leveled the score six minutes later when he scampered over from a lineout drive. Van Blerk succeeded with the conversion to take them into the lead for the first time in the match. He extended that lead to 15-10 just before the half-time break with a precise penalty.

Maritzburg were first to score in the second half through the trusty boot of their flyhallf Ruben van Blerk, who was on song.

KES responded with a five pointer when their burly tighhead prop, Keagan Glade, thundered over for the home side bringing them right back into the game.

The visitors hit back two minutes later after some sublime running rugby. Loosehead prop, Matthew King, was on hand to add the fiver. van Blerk extended their lead to 10 points.

The sea-saw battle continued as Kennedy Mpeku crossed the whitewash for KES after a brilliant weaving 50 meter run.

Maritzburg center, Ayanda Duma, was next to score with some good lineout work by his forwards. van Blerk added to his personal tally with another successful conversion.

Mpeku produced some magic to score his hatrick after some brilliant play by KES. He converted his own try to take the score to 32 – 27 in favour of the visitors.

KES continued to fight back in the dying minutes of the game. Replacement scrum half, James Gerber, crashed over after the hooter to level the scores at 32 with the kick to come.

However, Mpeku pushed the conversion wide.

Scorers:

KES

Tries: Kennedy Mpeku (3), Matthew King, James Gerber

Cons: Marc Morrison, Kennedy Mpeku

Pen: Kennedy Mpeku

Maritzburg

Tries: Matthew Diedricks, Andile Khanyile, Matthew King, Ayanda Duma

Cons: Ruben Van Blerk (3)

Pen: Ruben Van Blerk (2)

Teams:

KES:

15 Temba Mpemvu, 14 Leon Mpeku, 13 Kennedy Mpeku, 12 Yanga Hlalu, 11 Mpho Khambule, 10 Marc Morrison, 9 Ricci Marussi, 8 Echardt Cloete, 7 Calvin Johnson, 6 Thomas Berman, 5 Louis Pienaar, 4 Keegan Munro, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Tyran Dickson, 1 Mpilo Mabuza.

Replacements:

16 Dylan Whitcombe, 17 Luke Woolway, 18 Tyron Taplin, 19 Ziyanda Msipha, 20 James Gerber, 21 Ryan Clark, 22 Tebogo Rampou, 23 Chris Shuttleworth

Maritzburg College:

15 Jaco Truter, 14 Xolisa Guma, 13 Ayanda Duma, 12 Kevin Walsh, 11 Matthew Squires, 10 Ruben Van Blerk, 9 Lodewyk Muller, 8 Craig Glover (C), 7 Matthew Diedricks, 6 Andile Khanyile, 5 Myles Hancock, 4 Liam Cameron-Macintosh, 3 Andrew Reintges, 2 Austin Landman, 1 Matthew King

Replacements:

16 Fezo Mbatha, 17 Thuba Nzimande, 18 Nicholas Odendaal, 19 Luke Johnson, 20 Ross Williamson, 21 Chris Reed, 22 Njabulo Mjara.

Remaining Premier Interschools 2016 fixtures: http://premierinterschools.co.za/results-and-fixtures/

Written by www.schoolrugby.co.za