The magnificent season of the Pearson U/19A rugby teams is just getting better and better.
The boys from Summerstrand in Gqeberha achieved another milestone this past weekend with a rare away victory over Marlow Landbou in Nxuba.
But what a nail-biter this was! Pearson had to fight hard to win this thrilling contest 26-24.
They looked completely in control in the first half after leading 12-0 after just eight minutes and extending the lead to 19-0 at half-time.
In this half, Pearson, although under pressure at scrum time, used their opportunities to put points on the board. They were also very organised in defence and forced the home side into making mistakes.
Marlow is known as a team that never gives up and fought back strongly to level the scores at 19-19 with just ten minutes remaining in the contest.
Pearson scored the next try, and the conversion made it 26-19. Marlow wasn’t done yet and came back with a try in the corner, but missed the conversion which would have levelled things up.
The winning side has to say a massive thank you to full-back and vice-captain, Denilo Jordaan. He scored two absolutely sensational long-distance tries for Pearson.
The first one was just one minute into the match, and the second proved to be the winning try in the end.
Both teams scored three tries apiece. Pearson added three conversions and Marlow two.
It was the last home match of the year for Grey High at the Kolisi Field this past Saturday, and it was a tough one.
They faced the classy Bloemfontein visitors, Grey College, in this annual traditional fixture. Grey College won 48-15 after leading 38-0 at half-time.
Grey College kept up with the clock in the first half, averaging a point a minute by scoring six tries. It looked like a really massive score was on the cards but the visitors took their foot off the pedal.
In fact, it was a second-half victory for Grey High, scoring three tries against two in this period.
Noah Mbizi (wing) helped himself to a brace after centre, Bradley Myburgh (off to the Sharks next year), opened the scoring for the home side.
Meyer Prinsloo (full-back) and up-front lock, Ed Scorey, were always full of running, and Ed had one of his best matches for Grey High.
Results: Grey College 48, Grey High 15; Westering 20, Alex Road 9; Andrew Rabie 9, Otto du Plessis 8; Pearson 26, Marlow Landbou 24; Nico Malan 38, HTS Daniel Pienaar 8; Brandwag 109, DF Malherbe 0; Muir College 47, Despatch 22; Graeme College 17, Dale College 10; Hudson Park 33, Stirling 5; Ooskus Gym 35, Cathcart 22.
