A commanding and clinical first half performance by Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) took the Stellenbosch team to a 14-30 victory over Grey High PE in the first Supaquick Premier Interschools match of the 2022 season at Philip Field in Gqeberha last Saturday (9 April).
Three first-half tries, two conversions and a penalty kick from the visiting side saw them head into the half-time break with a 22-point lead. Tries came courtesy of a brace from Luke Graham and Keehan Etson, while the boot of full-back Christoff de Bruyn kept the scoreboard ticking over.
It was a flurry of attacks from the visiting side as they kept on setting up phase after phase, testing the Grey High tackling prowess. PRG enjoyed most of the possession and territory with them getting their first try within five minutes of the kick-off. Graham crashed over in the corner for the first try of his brace, the subsequent conversion missed (0-5).
The home side managed to stunt the Stellenbosch side’s momentum at key moments in the opening 15 minutes, but players like captain Herman Lourens, Wilbur Loubser and Reno Hirst meant PRG enjoyed majority of the possession. For Grey High, it was Sive Bwowe, Caleb Kotze, eighthman Tristan van Aardt and Kenneth Garrod that held firm on defence, with the boys from Gqeberha being called on to make most of the tackles throughout the first half.
PPR was eventually rewarded for their clinical attacking phases when De Bruyn succeeded with his penalty attempt (0-8).
A positive period for the visitors with some enterprising attacking skills from Reuben Noble took the visitors deep into Grey High territory, a cut-out pass from scrumhalf Liam Stander to Etson allowed him to crash over for PRG’s second try. De Bruyn able to add the extras (0-15).
As the final five minutes of the half approached, the home side lost their talisman eighthman Van Aardt when he collided with Sampie Joubert. Adding insult to injury, a lost line-out resulted in a counter-attack being rounded off with a brilliant display of pace by Graham as he cantered in for his second try. De Bruyn added the extras (0-22) as the players headed into the sheds with a comfortable lead.
Graham completed his hat-trick when Etson intercepted the ball and ghosted three Grey defenders. The outside centre had the presence of mind to link up with a speeding Graham on his right, sending the speedster over in the corner for his third and PRG’s fourth try of the encounter (0-27).
It must have been something that was said at half-time that finally got through to the home side, as they started attacking relentlessly as the final 20 minutes drew closer, playing with confidence as they ran some creative plays from deep inside their own half. This paid off when replacement wing Zukisani Tom crashed over under the sticks for the host’s first points of the match; Mihle Matinise added the extras (7-27).
Almost immediately, the home side added their second try via Luvuyo Nkomphela and Matinise converted from against the touchline, (14-27).
De Bruyn added his second penalty late in the match, bringing his personal tally in the match to 10 points, with the final score on 14-30 and PRG skipper Lourens being named Supaquick match man.
