15 April 2024
A healthy rivalry, which values sportsmanship and good, hard, clean competition as much as the results, has developed over the years between Westville Boys’ High and Jeppe High School for Boys, and on Saturday it was the Griffin’s turn to visit Johannesburg.
One of the highlights of the weekend, which demonstrated the respect the school share for one another, didn’t happen in competition. It was the presentation of a Westville rugby jersey, with the initials KB, written large, adorning it, to show Westville’s support for Jeppe and Kaiden Bowie, who sadly passed away after playing a game for the Jeppe 2nd XV on 5 March.
RUGBY
The Jeppe 1st XV rocked the schoolboy rugby scene in South Africa earlier this season, when they stunned Grey College, pulling off a 22-19 victory at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament, and they headed into their clash with Westville full of confidence.
Westville, though, were first on the board on Collard Field, courtesy of a spectacular try from Jade-Will Koopman. Michael Satade is a big presence in midfield, but it was his finesse and clever hands, not his size, that set up the five-pointer.
That try was emblematic of a high-quality game in which both teams played exciting, creative rugby.
At half-time, it was 14-14, after Jeppe scored right before the half-time whistle when right-wing Lindelani Khambule scooped up a loose ball and raced through to dot down under the uprights.
In the second half, the home side took the lead for the first time when big Luke Cannon went over after showing off a surprising turn of pace. Scrumhalf Talent Sithole pushed Jeppe further in front, but Westville responded with the try of the match.
With time running short, Chris Cloete and company were pressing deep in Jeppe’s 22, but the home team matched each probe at their defences. Then, though, Westville flyhalf Unathi Mlotshwa, who kicked brilliantly off the tee, stabbed a cross kick from right to left. It was pinpoint accurate, just over the head of Jeppe’s widest defender, but perfectly weighted to land gently in the welcoming arms of Evan Moolman, who went over for a try.
The match finished 31-24 to Jeppe and was a credit to both teams. While people have already learned just how good this Jeppe team is, some might not have known how good Westville is. They do now.
Overall, the results favoured Jeppe, but each and every match was competitive. The hosts picked up 12 wins, Westville scored six, and two games were drawn.
RESULTS
1st: Jeppe 31-24 Westville
2nd: Jeppe 24-7 Westville
3rd: Jeppe 24-23 Westville
4th: Jeppe 5-10 Westville
5th: Jeppe 14-10 Westville
6th: Jeppe 7-10 Westville
7th: Jeppe 19-12 Westville
16A: Jeppe 38-33 Westville
16B: Jeppe 19-17 Westville
16C: Jeppe 22-5 Westville
16D: Jeppe 7-0 Westville
15A: Jeppe 6-6 Westville
15B: Jeppe 22-3 Westville
15C: Jeppe 29-40 Westville
15D: Jeppe 14-10 Westville
15E: Jeppe 40-5 Westville
14A: Friendly
14B: Jeppe 19-24 Westville
14C: Jeppe 12-27 Westville
14D: Jeppe 5-21 Westville
14E: Jeppe 10-10 Westville
HOCKEY
Both 1st hockey teams had endured a bit of a wobble ahead of their clash on the Boden AstroTurf on Saturday, with Westville going 1-3 down against a talented DHS team, and Jeppe being handed a 4-1 defeat by St David’s Marist Inanda. They were highly motivated to get back in the winning column.
On the day, Jeppe took their chances better, and thus came away with a 3-1 win. Westville’s goal, though, was one for the highlight reel, brilliantly finished by Bo Mokoena.
Westville picked up seven wins, four of them courtesy of a very talented u14 age group, while Jeppe won four matches, and two were drawn. You have been alerted! Watch out for Westville’s u14s, especially their A team.
RESULTS
1st: Jeppe 3-1 Westville
2nd: Jeppe 1-2 Westville
3rd: Jeppe 1-2 Westville
4th: Jeppe 1-1 Westville
16A: Jeppe 2-1 Westville
16B: Jeppe 2-1 Westville
16C: Jeppe 1-1 Westville
16D: Jeppe 3-2 Westville
16E: Jeppe 0-1 Westville
14A: Jeppe 2-4 Westville
14B: Jeppe 0-6 Westville
14C: Jeppe 0-1 Westville
14D: Jeppe 1-4 Westville
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