Durban — Maritzburg College hosted Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool – commonly known as Affies – in a high-scoring rugby encounter that resulted in the visitors stealing victory.
College endured a woeful day with no wins across 25 rugby fixtures, and the final game ended in a 37-39 victory thanks to a last-minute Affies penalty.
First XV coach Tim Orchard said playing rugby against one of the strongest schools in the country was always going to be tough, but College went into all of their fixtures committed and determined to give their best. He said the heartbreakingly close score for the 1st XV match and several other games, and one draw, confirmed that the boys gave their all.
“The 1st XV match was definitely a main event of the exchange against Affies, with College very much the underdogs as their opponents have had an impressive season so far,” Orchard said.
“The game started off in a tremendous fashion for the home team as we struck first through SA Schools tight head prop Aiden Botha, who bashed over the line after a period of play that was all College.”
Orchard said both sides kept exchanging leads before his side went into halftime behind after conceding at the end, as College trailed 20-26.
College scored first in the second half to reduce the deficit and ultimately outscored Affies 17-13 in the half.
College smartly worked the ball down the left flank of Goldstones and a blind-side attack worked a treat with Wasi Vyambwera diving over in the corner. James Slevin calmly slotted the conversion much to the delight of an expectant Basher Ridge behind him.
College now had the lead at 37-36 with mere minutes left to play and a hopeful home crowd rightly sniffed an upset.
Orchard concluded: “This was not meant to be as Affies were awarded a kickable penalty with time up and their flyhalf slotted over the kick to win the game for his team. Affies won the match 37-39, but all in attendance were fulsome in their praise about the way the game was played.”
Flyhalf James Slevin said this weekend was a big physical battle for himself and the team. He praised his teammates for showing up physically against Affies.
“In my next game I will keep working on staying on the ball in defence as well as controlling play in attack,” he said.
Reflecting on the support, Slevin said it was unbelievable to run out on Goldstones in front of his whole school sitting on Basher Ridge. He said the atmosphere was amazing.
In total, Maritzburg College and Affies played 25 rugby games, with the visitors emerging victorious in 24, and one game ending as a draw.
MARITZBURG COLLEGE RESULTS
- 1st XV: 37-39
- 2nd XV: 10-33
- 3rd XV: 21-26
- 4th XV: 19-19
- 5th XV: 7-24
- 6th XV: 8-38
- 7th XV: 7-42
- 8th XV: 5-27
- 9th XV: 12-43
U16 Results:
- 16A: 27-43
- 16B: 6-22
- 16C: 12-62
- 16D: 0-50
- 16E: 0-50
U15 Results:
- 15A: 13-49
- 15B: 3-50
- 15C: 7-57
- 15D: 5-55
- 15E: 3-50
- 15F: 0-50
U14 Results:
- 14A: 10-12
- 14B: 3-52
- 14C: 7-36
- 14D: 0-36
- 14E: 0-40
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