HIGHLIGHTS: 1st XV Rugby vs Old Boys
First Half
The match started off with a big tackle as the school chanted “Eat! Eat!” Much to the delight of the supporters. For the first few minutes the game was played mainly in the First teams half although they managed to keep the Old Boys off the try line. Possession switched with a big interception which resulted in a scrum. The Old Boys managed to turn over the scrum and they lunged at the try line but were held up at the last second causing another scrum on the 5m line.
The Firsts where able to kick for touch after a knockon.From the line-out the ball was fumbled towards the First but then a massive tackle immediately stopped them in their tracks. The Firsts managed to get the ball out of their half by successfully playing hands and their pods successfully held up. They managed to kick for touch after a “hands in the ruck” penalty was awarded.
The Firsts continued pushing up but were stopped
by several big tackles. The match was paused as one
of the boys took a knock to his knee and needed
medical attention, after some looking into it he was
fine and walked it off. The match was still scoreless
and continued in the Old Boys half. After a scrum
down on the 22, followed by hands they successfully
kicked the ball out of their 22. The lineout was
unsuccessful with the executing an ineffective maul.
Although the Firsts still maintained possession.
Still the match continued in the Old Boys half
with scrums and line-outs at regular intervals,
although the Old Boys could not seem to get the
ball out of their half.
A good run was made by the Firsts whereby a
flamboyant set of footwork was displayed followed
by a good offload (as they were tackled) which
unfortunately resulted in a knock-on.
After a good kick coming off the scrum the Old Boys
were able to advance deep into the Firsts half. Their
advance was short lived as an offside allowed the
Firsts to kick for touch and pushed the Old Boys
back, awarding a line-out. The line-out was followed
by a scrum due to a skew ball. The match continued
heatedly in the Old Boys half. The firsts finally
were able to push up and score a try right before
the call of half time. The ball was easily converted
with a close kick. (7 : 0)
Second Half
The second half was underway and started in the Old
Boys half for the first few minutes. The Firsts unfortunately
had to make a substitution as one of their
players was injured due to a supposed high tackle.
The Old Boys were able to score with a massive run,
out of their own half and then scored under the
poles. Which was unfortunately not converted. (7 : 5)
After kick-off the ball was played mainly in the
Old Boys half yet again, possession changed due to
“holding on” in the ruck. But was pointless as the
old boys were forced out the playable area resulting
in a line-out in the Firsts favor. Another boy took
a hit and required medical attention, although he
walked it off soon after. Followed by another injury
on the Old Boys side this time he was taken off.
After a long tussle the Firsts managed to play the
ball wide to an open space and in a 3 to 1 situation
were able to easily score a try, followed by an
easy conversion.(14 : 5)
Right off of kickoff the Firsts played a number
of perfect passes right from their own half and
scored a cracker of a try. They unfortunately did
not convert. (19 : 5)
The Old boys pulled one back with an easy try. And
after a very far and challenging kick the ball narrowly
hit the post. (19 : 10)
Off kickoff the match was mainly played in the
Old Boys half, showing the dominance of the Firsts
team with their possession, although the Old boys’
defense held up. A big run from the Old Boys lead
them into the First’s half. The Firsts kicked for touch,
successfully pushing the old boys back. The Old Boys
again had a big run which pushed them over the 22.
The run was stopped with a strong tackle resulting in
another downed player. The final whistle was blown
with the final score being 19 to 10 with the First
team successfully beating the Old Boys.
Match summary by Parktown Boys’ Reporter: Luca Von Mayer
Images by : Muaawiyah Dadabhay, Ziya Devar & Jonah Finlay (All members from the PBHS Photographic Society
