Bishops 15 – 20 Rondebosch
As a mark of the prominence of this fixture, upcoming referee Aimee Barrett-Theron was in charge of this massive clash on the Piley Rees. It was played in front of a capacity crowd and the sides served up a minor classic.
Bishops started like a house on fire, scoring two early tries, exploiting the space out wide to dot down for eye catching scores, getting the home crowd on their feet. Bishops then converted further pressure by converting an easy penalty in front of the poles to go ahead 15 – 0. At this stage, even the most die-hard of ‘Bosch Old Boys would have predicted a win from there.
In the second half, Rondebosch used the significant wind to their advantage and turned the match on its head. They never gave up, and as always this season, were ably led by flank Gareth Blackmore. Hooker and man of the match Jonathan Birhange also palyed a crucial role in the comeback. With the scores locked at 15 – 15, converted No. 8 Jamie Ricketts, playing in the inside centre berth, ran a hard line close to the Bishops line and went over with two minutes to go to give Bosch the lead 20 – 15. This narrow lead was defended with everything Rondebosch had and they held on to claim a famous win.
Prediction: Bishops
Wynberg 40 – 15 SACS
Wynberg got the better of SACS in all the main matches, and in the main game were victorious 40 – 15 in a result that would have surprised no one. The wind in Cape Town last weekend caused havoc throughout the day and perhaps contributed to Bishops’ capitulation to Bosch, but this Wynberg side were always in command against SACS and the result was never in doubt. The Wynberg players can look back on a successful term and look forward to their first game of next term away to Paul Roos with justified confidence that they can add another famous scalp.
Prediction: Wynberg
Boland Landbou 22 – 47 Paarl Boys’ High
Boland Landbou would have gone into their home clash with Boishaai full of confidence, having beaten Bishops on the Piley Rees the weekend before. A repeat upset was not to be however, with the men in black suffering a convincing defeat to the powerful Boishaai side 22 – 47. One should always remember the massive disadvantage Landbou have against the other big Boland schools in terms of numbers and their consistent ability to match these sides speaks volumes for the coaching and structures in place at Agter Paarl. The Boishaai side are gearing up for the big Interschools against Paarl Gym on 30 July, and will be hoping none of their players involved at Craven Week get injured, having already lost their inspirational captain Juan Smal to injury.
Prediction: Boishaai
Oakdale 10 – 42 Paarl Gim
Oakdale might have been quietly confident of pushing the Gim side all the way, especially with the massive backing from their Old Boys at the Plaas. The miracle was not to be, with Gim ruthlessly swatting aside the farmers 42 – 10. Oakdale have had a good season and many of their players can now look forward to a Craven Week campaign with SWD. They will come again, and have a couple massive clashes to look forward to next term.
Gim next face Bishops at home next term before the massive Interschools against Boishaai to end their season. Much like their Boishaai enemies, they will be hoping their Craven Week representatives return to school with a clean bill of health next term so that they can bid to end the season on a high.
Prediction: Paarl Gim
Dale 13 – 12 Kingswood
Dale have endured surely their most traumatic season in their history but on Saturday they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at the Graveyard. Dale needed a last minute 40m penalty to beat Kingswood, but in so doing, they pulled off a surprise and can now look forward to next term with some belated confidence. Next term they travel to Makhanda to play St Andrew’s, who have had a shocking season, before facing their fierce Border rivals, Selborne and Queen’s in the reverse fixtures.
Kingswood would have expected a tough battle on the CB Jennings, but surely defeat would not have entered their thoughts. This result would have somewhat scuppered their preparations for the massive K-Day clash with St Andrew’s this weekend. They will be hoping for a reaction to this defeat and to get their season back into a positive winning percentage.
Prediction: Kingswood
Westville 26 – 42 Maritzburg College
In the second ‘game of two halves’ of the weekend, College staged a remarkable comeback at Westville on the weekend. Westville would have been forgiven for going into their shell with a 26 – 7 lead at half time, barely believing what was happening. Westville used the wind at their backs to gain territorial dominance and scored points off the back of College errors in the first half. The second half was a carbon copy of the first, this time in College’s favour. College played some good rugby and took their chances, cancelling the errors they made in the first half. College scored 5 second half tries to zero and claimed a famous come from behind win.
Westville will be licking their wounds all through the off season, ending off their season at home with such a devastating collapse, throwing away such a commanding lead!
Prediction: Maritzburg College
Michaelhouse 54 – 12 St Charles
Michaelhouse had little trouble in dispatching their near neighbours St Charles 54 – 12. The only conern before the game for Michaelhouse would have been complacency setting in but these fears were quickly allayed as House put in a commanding performance in time for the cruscendo to their season against Hilton this weekend. House will be on a revenge mission, having not done themselves justice in the first game. It should be a great game, with House a lot stronger than the side who played at Hilton earlier on the season.
Prediction: Michaelhouse
Dr EG Jansen 26 – 43 Monument
The clash between the two powerhouses of Lions and Valke schoolboy rugby took place this weekend, with Monnas running out comfortable winners over Dr EG Jansen in the end, to the tune of 43 – 26. The Monnas side has contributed a whopping 10 players to the Lions Craven Week side, with 9 in the starting line up. Their class told in this fixture, against an inconsistent Jansies side that came into the game on the back of 5 wins in a row, which were preceded by 5 consecutive defeats. The bulk of these two sides will meet under the guise of the Lions and Valke Craven Week teams on Thursday, in a warm up for the pinnacle of SA schoolboy rugby set to take place in Cape Town next month.
Prediction: Monnas
St John’s 56 – 9 St Stithians
St John’s hammered the hapless Saints team to the tune of 56 – 9 on Saturday at home. This was one of the most predictable results of the season and the capitulation by Saints, evidenced by their timid ‘defence’ of their tryline perhaps sums up their season. This is arguably their biggest game but conceded so many soft tries, albeit against a St John’s side who were at home, buoyed by their surprise win over Pretoria Boys’ High the previous week. St John’s were eager to take advantage of one of the poorest sides in Saints recent past, which is saying something, and did just that! This was the final game of the season for both sides and brings to an end another disappointing season for both schools. St John’s can at least claim to have beaten all the “St” schools they play on their calendar.
Prediction: St John’s
Total Predictions: 9
Correct: 7
Incorrect: 2
