Grey High and Selborne kept their unbeaten records in contrasting fashion as the 18th Standard Bank Cape Schools Rugby Week, in association with Powerade and Spur, came to an entertaining conclusion at Grey's Philip field in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday (July 1).
The hosts produced arguably their best performance of the tournament in overturning a 10-8 halftime deficit to defeat previously unbeaten SACS 28-10, while Selborne had to show gritty resolve in holding off the combative Boland Landbou outfit 10-8.
Western Cape teams Paarl Gymnasium and Rondebosch also ended their programme on a high note, with Paarl outclassing Queen's 34-5 and Rondebosch running in four tries in a convincing 26-0 win over Muir.
In the remaining match, the composite Standard Bank XV finally ran out of steam as Dale went on a nine-try romp in a 53-3 triumph. The Standard Bank side performed admirably in their first two matches, but yesterday's game was a bridge too far for a team whose preparations were, naturally, not ideal.
After wins over Muir and Queen's, SACS showed plenty of spirit following an early Grey try and they hit back with a powerful forward maul for flank Dylan Hadzigrigoriou to cross for a try. Flyhalf Kyle Boyd's impressive kicking gave them a narrow halftime lead, but it was all Grey in the second half.
A loose kick ahead by SACS saw Grey flyhalf Curwin Bosch gather and weave his way through the SACS defence to offload for No 8 Khwezi Mafu to gallop over under the posts. Bosch kicked the conversion and added two more penalties to give his team some breathing space, with exciting fullback Lubs Dubelo sealing the deal when he shot through a gap to score in the final minute.
Selborne owed their victory to tries by wing Thakgo Boloko, who finished off a wonderful break through midfield, and Hein Rust. But Boland Landbou have been among the toughest opponents at this week and a penalty by Deon Carstens and a Jaco Conradie try kept them in the hunt.
They had a chance to clinch the match after the final hooter had gone with a penalty kick from near the halfway line, but the attempt was wayward and Selborne claimed another good victory.
Paarl Gym have been impressive throughout the week, with the skilful running and powerful allround play. From the moment wing Keenan Abrahams outpaced the cover defence for a try in the corner in the third minute, you sensed Queen's were in for a tough day.
The Queenstown lads did reply with a try by flank Justin Kuyler, but Paarl Gym led 13-5 at halftime and then camped in the Queen's half after the break to run in three more thrilling tries for an emphatic victory.
For Rondebosch, No 9 Nicholas Potgieter had an outstanding game and was rewarded with two tries as they proved too sharp for Uitenhage side Muir. Edward Stiles and Liam Greenhalgh also crossed, while fullback Yaseen Jacobs again showed an accurate boot, kicking three of four conversions.
