Published April 15, 2014 12:35
By Pierre Mc Leod
Paul Roos Gymnasium played Grey High School in the opener of the Mutual and Federal Premier Interschools at the Markotter Field in Stellenbosch this past Saturday.
Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools is a series of 12 matches, which feature the highest profile and most traditional interschool rugby rivalries, from South Africa’s top rugby schools which are broadcast live on SuperSport from April to August.
Previous results from the last two years went in favour of Grey as they won in 2013 23 - 18 and 23 - 19 in 2012. Paul Roos won 22 - 18 in 2011 and 20 - 13 in 2009. In 2009, current Western Province and Stormers team mates Siya Kolisi and Steven Kitshoff played on opposite sides. Kolisi also became Grey's latest Springbok in 2013.
Paul Roos could not have asked for a better start after fly half Aidan Cupido scored his teams first try, Cupido converted his own try to give Paul Roos a 7 - 0 lead.
After Grey's fly half Curwin Bosch' first attempt with a long range penalty kick he had a further unsuccessful two kicks at post. Grey stuck with their kicking tactics which in return gave Paul Roos a lot of running opportunity.
One of their attacks resulted in a try by winger Nico Leonard as he scored his teams second try in 30th minute, conversion was unsuccessful as Paul Roos went into the half time break leading 12 - 0.
The second half started pretty much the same as Grey continued with their arial assault and Paul Roos running it back at them. And it was not long before Paul Roos crossed the line for their third try, through scrum half Herchel Jantjies. Cupido was succesful with the conversion and Paul Roos had a comfortable 19 - 0 lead.
Five minutes later Jerome Korf scored another try for Paul Roos, Cupido added the extra two, as the score stretched to 26 - 0. The game looked pretty much over for the boys from Port Elizabeth with 20 minutes to go.
Little did Paul Roos know that would be their last points as Grey started to keep ball in hand and build some momentum. Grey winger, Nathan Brown scored his teams first try after fullback Keanu Vers put him in space with a clear run to score under the post. Bosch was on target as he added the extra two to bring the score to 26 - 7.
A few minutes later Vers had another break through the Paul Roos defense, this time off loading to Anthi Mayinje to score his teams second try. Bosch was unsuccessful with the conversion as the score moved to 26 - 12.
The game started to take a different course as Grey started to gain more momentum and confidence. Replacement flyhalf for Paul Roos, Reinhardt Fortuin, then had an opportunity to put his team further ahead, but missed the penalty from just inside the halfway line.
As time started to run out, and with only 10 minutes left on the clock, Grey's Mayinje scored his second and his teams third try, Bosch converted a difficult kick to bring the score to 26 - 19.
Paul Roos had no answers on defense as Grey's no 8, Josh Mudrovic, crossed the line 3 minutes later, Bosch was unable to level the scores as they trailed by 2 points, 26 - 24.
Bosch set up a line out 5 meters from the Paul Roos try line from a penalty. Setting up a maul after the line out resulted in a penalty to Grey and Bosch had an oppertunity to put his team in the lead and a possible win with 1 minute to play.
Bosch' kick hit the post and it seemed Paul Roos had won the game after the clearance. There was however still injury time left to set up another driving maul towards the Paul Roos try line. Paul Roos collapsed the maul yet again, giving Bosch another opportunity to make amends.
Bosch kept a cool head as he slotted the penalty about 10 meters from touch, giving Grey a remarkable 27 - 26 victory, after trailing 26 - 0 with 20 minutes to go.
Man of the match went to Grey fullback Keanu Vers.
Scorers:
Paul Roos - Tries: Aidan Cupido, Nico Leonard, Herchel Jantjies, Jerome Korf
Conversions: Cupido (3)
Grey - Tries: Nathan Brown, Anthi Mayinje (2), Josh Mudrovic
Conversions: Cupido (2)
Penalties: Cupido (1)
