24 June 2023
Much like Clifton in their opening match, Saint Charles College overmatched their opponents in the set scrums in their first of three matches at the 2023 Independent Schools Festival at Saint Andrew’s in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
From the start, Saints were full of running, too, and it appeared that it might be a long day for Cornwall Hill College, who were under severe pressure early on. The Pietermaritzburg boys came close to turning that pressure into points when they charged down an attempted clearance, but the ball deflected out of the in-goal area.
However, after only six minutes, sharp hands and quick short passes from the forwards saw Saints go over for a fine try in the right-hand corner through Marlon Mbewe. Ukhanyo Ntsangani was spot on with his challenging conversion attempt to put the boys in blue 7-0 ahead.
It looked as if Saint Charles would kick on. Instead, Cornwall Hill wrestled their way back into the contest as Saints’ handling let them down time after time.
Superb counter
In the 22nd minute, however, Saint Charles extended their lead. It began with a mazy, quick-stepping counter-attack from the flyhalf Ukhanyo Ntsangani, who left a number of Cornwall Hill defenders scattered in his wake. When he was stopped inside the Pretoria school’s 22, flanker Lazola Makaula was on hand to take the pop-up pass and he was over to the left of the uprights.
Ntsangani added the extras to put Saints 14-0 to the good.
They almost added another try after winning a tighthead. The ball went down the backline and Matthew Ludick made good ground up the right-hand touchline. Then, with the try-line in sight, Saints went to the pick ‘n go, but they rushed it and knocked on.
After the break, Tshepo Molete had a chance to get Cornwall Hill onto the scoreboard early in the second half, but he didn’t strike the ball well and missed the target.
Saint Charles continued to boss the tight exchanges, but they also continued to be inaccurate, with passes and handling below their typical standard undermining their attacking forays. They had all the opportunities they could wish for, but they were not clinical.
Cornwall Hill try
They were made to pay with five minutes remaining when CJ Kapilikisha went over wide on the left for Cornwall Hill. Molete’s conversion was accurate, but it was short, leaving the score at Saint Charles 14-5 Cornwall Hill.
At last, though, with time almost expired, Saints sealed with the win with a late try from a quick tap penalty. Okuhle Peti knocked over the conversion to make the final score 21-5 in favour of Saint Charles.
The margin was comfortable, in the end, but the boys from Pietermaritzburg will know they left many points out on the field.
Results
Clifton College 29-8 Union High
Saint Charles College 21-5 Cornwall Hill College
Kearsney College 47-12 Saint Alban’s College
CBC Boksburg 38-5 Free State Development XV
Saint Andrew’s School 21-24 Saint David’s Marist Inanda
Hilton College 43-5 Saint Stithian’s College
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