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School Rugby. On a warm and sunny afternoon in Pietermaritzburg, perfect conditions set the stage for an entertaining fixture of running school rugby. The 1st XV took on a determined Clifton College side, who arrived desperate to secure their first win of the season.
The opening half was a scrappy and frustrating affair, marked by frequent stoppages. Despite struggling to piece together fluid passages of play, the hosts showed clinical precision in the few opportunities that we created. Two well taken tries gave the home side a narrow 12–5 lead at the halftime break.
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. St Charles came out with renewed energy and intent, executing their game plan. It is to speed up the tempo and play on top of Clifton. With cleaner ball and improved continuity, wSt Charles also began to assert dominance across the park.
Eben Crafford and Braydon Joese
Several players also stood out in this commanding second-half display. Eben Crafford and Braydon Joese were pivotal in setting the tone, while Carl Chekera and Dresden Coetzee made significant contributions in both attack and defence. Their efforts ignited a flowing, attacking game from the Wild Dogs, who began to stretch Clifton’s defence with strong carries up the middle and slick ball movement out wide.
As the phases mounted, so too did the scoreboard pressure, and St Charles ran in a flurry of second half tries to take the game well beyond reach. The final score of 52–10 was a testament to the side’s ability to regroup and dominate after a shaky start.
Credit must go to Clifton College, who were well in the contest during the first half and never backed down despite the scoreboard. Their spirit and effort were commendable, and we wish them the very best for the remainder of their season.
For the boys in Blue and Gold, the result was a satisfying one, particularly given the physical challenges heading into the match, and a performance in the second half that truly showcased the team’s potential at the back end of the season. – Reported by Head Coach, Craig Dwyer
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