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Column
18 December 2009
Ask not for whom Bill toils
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24 August 2009
Far Afield: One Small Step for Solomon ...
By Michael McLaggan.
August the fourteenth marked the start of the Boys High athletics season with the annual Inter-House Athletics Meet. While Solomon House took home the trophy (the first time since 1994), the three records which highlighted the fiercely contested event came from Armstrong and Rissik House competitors.
In the track events Shelton Mokuena of Armstrong House set a new school record of 9:56.2 in the u/14 3000m. Two hours later he broke the 1500m track record in a time of 4:35.1, pushing second place Sive Dzhabirov of Rissik House to finish in 4:38.2, a time which was within the previous Inter-House record. A couple of hours after winning the 800m event the next day Shelton won gold in the u/14 North Gauteng Cross Country Championships, making him the first Boys High boy since 1999 to qualify for a SA Cross Country Championships!
In the field events Alex Jacobs of Rissik House set a new u/19 Inter-House Javelin record with a distance of 57.00m, smashing the record of French rugby international, Brian Liebenberg. And this was despite the back injury which forced him to restrain himself.
Tragedy is nothing new to Alex. In the introduction to this column it was mentioned that Alex narrowly missed out on qualifying for the SA Schools Championships. In fact, he had qualified, but neither he nor his coach were notified. Richmond Collins sent frantic sms’s to let him know that he had indeed qualified and that his event was due to start in an hour. But, alas, Durban was 600km away. The winner threw around 58m after Alex had landed 61.90m the week before at the SA Club Championships in which he had finished fifth.
No wonder Mr Schroder calls Boys High athletics a sleeping giant.
In the field events Alex Jacobs of Rissik House set a new u/19 Inter-House Javelin record with a distance of 57.00m, smashing the record of French rugby international, Brian Liebenberg. And this was despite the back injury which forced him to restrain himself.
No wonder Mr Schroder calls Boys High athletics a sleeping giant.
15 August 2009
Introducing: Far Afield by Michael McLaggan
How many athletics achievements and records and anecdotes, I wonder, have not been preserved in the pages of The Pretorian. How many athletes have been defeated by our indifference to the sport.
That really is the point of this column: it is to celebrate those athletes whose achievements escape us each time we ask How did Boys High do? Instead I would like Old Boys to join us rather in acknowledging the triumphs of our boys as each week Michael McLaggan reports on our athletes’ rarest moments in Far Afield.
06 August 2009
Candy-Coated: Seven Tries Crush College
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
In a complete turnaround of the previous result between these two sides, Boys High completely flattened Maritzburg College by seven tries to two in a 41 – 15 victory.
Having lost the previous game 13 – 21, Boys High were looking to get even with their KwaZulu Natal rivals. Maritzburg had an early 10 – 0 advantage, but this was soon lost as the Candies launched into a full-on onslaught. Anderson crossed the chalk first, and he was followed by John Fourie. It was around this time that Richmond Collins broke his ankle and had to be taken to hospital. This did not hinder the Candies’ attack, though, as Segole, Collins’s replacement, added a five-pointer of his own.
A further two tries came and the boys from Pretoria flew into a 31 – 10 lead. Maritzburg managed to trouble the scoring once more with a try to make it 31 – 15. It would make little difference, though, as two more tries by the Candies put the cherry on top of a flawless performance.
The win marks the highest winning margin against Maritzburg College in over a decade.
Having lost the previous game 13 – 21, Boys High were looking to get even with their KwaZulu Natal rivals. Maritzburg had an early 10 – 0 advantage, but this was soon lost as the Candies launched into a full-on onslaught. Anderson crossed the chalk first, and he was followed by John Fourie. It was around this time that Richmond Collins broke his ankle and had to be taken to hospital. This did not hinder the Candies’ attack, though, as Segole, Collins’s replacement, added a five-pointer of his own.
A further two tries came and the boys from Pretoria flew into a 31 – 10 lead. Maritzburg managed to trouble the scoring once more with a try to make it 31 – 15. It would make little difference, though, as two more tries by the Candies put the cherry on top of a flawless performance.
The win marks the highest winning margin against Maritzburg College in over a decade.
29 July 2009
Candy-Coated: Candies Trounce Menlo
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
The Candies were in dominant form as they trounced Menlopark by 36 points to 3 in a game where Boys High were in complete control the whole way through.
Boys High missed two early shots at goal, which allowed Menlo to take an early lead through a penalty goal (though Steve Moir soon equalized). For a while the scoreboard remained unchanged. It was our ‘Blitzkrieg’, Richmond Collins, who was the first to cross the chalk after simply running around a number of defenders. At the break the Candies held a 10 – 3 lead.
Although the score line did not change for a good portion of the second half, the lion’s share of territory and possession which we won attested to our control of the game. At no point did Menlo look even remotely threatening. It was finally at about midway through the half that the floodgates opened. The men wearing candy stripes would run in no fewer than four unanswered tries. John Fourie, Katlego Maake, Glen Botha and Byron Anderson each touched down.
The pick of the lot was Fourie’s five-pointer. Fly half Matthew Currie put Byron Anderson into space. Anderson then sidestepped a defender before throwing a wild pass to his right. Fourie took the ball on the bounce and stabbed a grubber kick through the defence. The Menlo winger fumbled the ball and was tackled at a critical moment which allowed Fourie to pick up the loose ball and score under the posts.
This convincing victory has given Boys High their third win on the trot and will give them a confidence boost ahead of their return fixture against Maritzburg College.
Boys High missed two early shots at goal, which allowed Menlo to take an early lead through a penalty goal (though Steve Moir soon equalized). For a while the scoreboard remained unchanged. It was our ‘Blitzkrieg’, Richmond Collins, who was the first to cross the chalk after simply running around a number of defenders. At the break the Candies held a 10 – 3 lead.
Although the score line did not change for a good portion of the second half, the lion’s share of territory and possession which we won attested to our control of the game. At no point did Menlo look even remotely threatening. It was finally at about midway through the half that the floodgates opened. The men wearing candy stripes would run in no fewer than four unanswered tries. John Fourie, Katlego Maake, Glen Botha and Byron Anderson each touched down.
The pick of the lot was Fourie’s five-pointer. Fly half Matthew Currie put Byron Anderson into space. Anderson then sidestepped a defender before throwing a wild pass to his right. Fourie took the ball on the bounce and stabbed a grubber kick through the defence. The Menlo winger fumbled the ball and was tackled at a critical moment which allowed Fourie to pick up the loose ball and score under the posts.
This convincing victory has given Boys High their third win on the trot and will give them a confidence boost ahead of their return fixture against Maritzburg College.
10 June 2009
Candy-Coated: Order Restored
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Boys High claimed in their last movement what has to be their win of the season in a 13 – 11 victory over King Edwards.
The Candies drew first blood with a Kyle Stanley penalty opening a 3 – 0 gap. Boys High looked dangerous from the start, turning over numerous ball and fiercely attacking the King Edwards’ defence. After a King Edwards’ kick at goal was missed, it took a second opportunity to level the scores.
Next, Kyle Stanley had two opportunities to put points on the board, but missed on both occasions. King Edwards then took the lead with another penalty, but then missed an additional chance to extend their lead further. The half-time score was 6 – 3 to King Edwards.
The scores were again levelled after Steve Moir put a penalty over. With about fifteen minutes’ play left, King Edwards took advantage of some slack Boys High defence and scored in the lefthand corner. The conversion was missed, so the score stood at 11 – 6. Soon after, King Edwards almost sealed the game when their wing gained possession of the ball fifteen metres from the line. Fortunately he was taken into touch right in the corner by a superb cover tackle by Steve Moir.
Another defining moment would occur with just about another five minutes of play remaining. King Edwards was awarded a penalty 30 metres from the line directly in front of the uprights. Precious few Boys High supporters believed that the King Edwards kicker would miss this. A three-pointer at this stage would spell the end for the Candies. But it was an astounding miss drifting just centimetres wide of the lefthand upright which gave the Candies a chance.
The final moments of the game were tense. The Candies had camped in the opposition 22, taking the ball through phase after phase. Finally captain Louis Le Roux crashed over under the poles. For a moment it seemed as if the try had been disallowed. The entire King Edwards team came up to the referee protesting that the ball had not been properly grounded. Until Kyle Stanley’s kicking tee had been brought on for the conversion attempt, nobody was sure if the try had been awarded. The entire King Edwards team tried to charge down Stanley’s kick, but, keeping his cool, Stanley popped the ball over the KES boys’ heads for the match-winning two-pointer.
Our victory brought to an end King Edwards’ unbeaten season of eleven consecutive victories.
The Candies drew first blood with a Kyle Stanley penalty opening a 3 – 0 gap. Boys High looked dangerous from the start, turning over numerous ball and fiercely attacking the King Edwards’ defence. After a King Edwards’ kick at goal was missed, it took a second opportunity to level the scores.
Next, Kyle Stanley had two opportunities to put points on the board, but missed on both occasions. King Edwards then took the lead with another penalty, but then missed an additional chance to extend their lead further. The half-time score was 6 – 3 to King Edwards.
The scores were again levelled after Steve Moir put a penalty over. With about fifteen minutes’ play left, King Edwards took advantage of some slack Boys High defence and scored in the lefthand corner. The conversion was missed, so the score stood at 11 – 6. Soon after, King Edwards almost sealed the game when their wing gained possession of the ball fifteen metres from the line. Fortunately he was taken into touch right in the corner by a superb cover tackle by Steve Moir.
Another defining moment would occur with just about another five minutes of play remaining. King Edwards was awarded a penalty 30 metres from the line directly in front of the uprights. Precious few Boys High supporters believed that the King Edwards kicker would miss this. A three-pointer at this stage would spell the end for the Candies. But it was an astounding miss drifting just centimetres wide of the lefthand upright which gave the Candies a chance.
The final moments of the game were tense. The Candies had camped in the opposition 22, taking the ball through phase after phase. Finally captain Louis Le Roux crashed over under the poles. For a moment it seemed as if the try had been disallowed. The entire King Edwards team came up to the referee protesting that the ball had not been properly grounded. Until Kyle Stanley’s kicking tee had been brought on for the conversion attempt, nobody was sure if the try had been awarded. The entire King Edwards team tried to charge down Stanley’s kick, but, keeping his cool, Stanley popped the ball over the KES boys’ heads for the match-winning two-pointer.
Our victory brought to an end King Edwards’ unbeaten season of eleven consecutive victories.
04 June 2009
Candy-Coated: Par for the Course
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Boys High secured their third victory of the season with a 24 – 3 win over Jeppe Boys.
In what was one of their better performances, the Candies outclassed and overpowered Jeppe from the start. Boys High began the game with much intensity and after five minutes or so Glen Botha fended off one of the Jeppe players before off-loading to Loius Le Roux who ran in under the poles. The second try came after a set move saw Vaughn Smith come off the wing and cut through the Jeppe defence like a hot knife through butter.
A Jeppe penalty saw the gap reduced to 12 – 3. But this was immediately followed by an enterprising passage of play which concluded with Louis van Biljoen crashing over the line. The half-time score stood at 19 – 3.
In the second half things quietened down a lot. There was not as much action as there had been in the first half, and the level of intensity was rather low. Apart from Le Roux’s second try there was nothing to show on the part of either side and they appeared to be locked in a stalemate. And thus the game ended on 24 – 3.
In what was one of their better performances, the Candies outclassed and overpowered Jeppe from the start. Boys High began the game with much intensity and after five minutes or so Glen Botha fended off one of the Jeppe players before off-loading to Loius Le Roux who ran in under the poles. The second try came after a set move saw Vaughn Smith come off the wing and cut through the Jeppe defence like a hot knife through butter.
A Jeppe penalty saw the gap reduced to 12 – 3. But this was immediately followed by an enterprising passage of play which concluded with Louis van Biljoen crashing over the line. The half-time score stood at 19 – 3.
In the second half things quietened down a lot. There was not as much action as there had been in the first half, and the level of intensity was rather low. Apart from Le Roux’s second try there was nothing to show on the part of either side and they appeared to be locked in a stalemate. And thus the game ended on 24 – 3.
31 May 2009
Candy-Coated: Boys High Fall Just Short
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Pretoria Boys suffered their eighth defeat of the season in a very high scoring game against St Stithians over the weekend. Saints won 39 – 35.
It was a game in which each side scored five tries, the difference being two penalties from the Saints fly half. Although the loss will go down as a major upset, the Candies must be commended on an outstanding comeback – considering that after fifteen minutes Boys High were down 28 – 0!
The first Saints try came from their right wing who managed to outpace Byron Anderson to score in the corner. The second try came when a Candies’ handling error in the Saints 22m resulted in the ball being hacked ahead and their right-winger touching down again. Saints continued the assault as their left wing touched down. When it seemed that nothing else could go wrong, a stray pass was intercepted and the Saints winger raced home. With the score on 28 – 0, it seemed that the game was over before the first twenty minutes.
But the Candies fought back with true Boys High spirit. A Steve Moir break inspired a try from flank Louis Van Biljoen. After Vaughn Smith sustained an injury, another winger came on as an emergency substitute and immediately made an impact by scoring two brilliant tries by running through the entire Saints team on both occasions. His first try came right at the end of the first half; his second, at the start of the second. He then made another powerful run deep into Saints territory, which gave Kyriacos Floudiatis an opportunity to get over. With the score on 34 – 28 it looked as though the Candies had a chance of victory.
Then Saints scored again. Having missed the conversion, the score remained 39 – 28. With just two minutes left, Boys High scored again through Glen Botha. Stanley dropped-kicked the conversion to save time, but St Stithians’ determined defence was just enough to thwart the Candies’ valiant effort.
It was a game in which each side scored five tries, the difference being two penalties from the Saints fly half. Although the loss will go down as a major upset, the Candies must be commended on an outstanding comeback – considering that after fifteen minutes Boys High were down 28 – 0!
The first Saints try came from their right wing who managed to outpace Byron Anderson to score in the corner. The second try came when a Candies’ handling error in the Saints 22m resulted in the ball being hacked ahead and their right-winger touching down again. Saints continued the assault as their left wing touched down. When it seemed that nothing else could go wrong, a stray pass was intercepted and the Saints winger raced home. With the score on 28 – 0, it seemed that the game was over before the first twenty minutes.
But the Candies fought back with true Boys High spirit. A Steve Moir break inspired a try from flank Louis Van Biljoen. After Vaughn Smith sustained an injury, another winger came on as an emergency substitute and immediately made an impact by scoring two brilliant tries by running through the entire Saints team on both occasions. His first try came right at the end of the first half; his second, at the start of the second. He then made another powerful run deep into Saints territory, which gave Kyriacos Floudiatis an opportunity to get over. With the score on 34 – 28 it looked as though the Candies had a chance of victory.
Then Saints scored again. Having missed the conversion, the score remained 39 – 28. With just two minutes left, Boys High scored again through Glen Botha. Stanley dropped-kicked the conversion to save time, but St Stithians’ determined defence was just enough to thwart the Candies’ valiant effort.
20 May 2009
Candy-Coated: Boys High Batter Blues
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Boys High ended their six-match losing streak with a convincing 26 – 6 victory over St Johns College over the weekend.
The game started out as an equally contested affair with both sides unable to convert their threats and opportunities into points. It was the Candies who finally broke the deadlock with a try in the corner from winger John Fourie. Anderson failed to convert so the score remained 5 – 0. There were some nervous moments late in the half as Kyle Stanley’s kick was charged and gathered inside Boys High’s own 22m. Fortunately the Saints fly half was brought down just short of the Candies’ line. The half-time score was just 5 – 0.
Immediately after the restart the Candies regained possession and, showing great patience, took the play through phase after phase before fullback Byron Anderson went over. He converted his own try to take the score to 12 – 0.
A penalty from St Johns cut the Candies’ lead, but only temporarily. A brilliant backline move off a scrum saw that Fourie came off the wing into the midfield and over the whitewash for the third time.
Boys High had now cut loose. The Candies’ fourth try came from a Moir break up the midfield followed by a pass to Vaughn Smith on the wing. Smith then sent a kick up field and, following up brilliantly, made a tackle on the St Johns fullback who then spilled the ball straight into flanker Katlego Maake’s hands, which resulted in what must be the easiest and luckiest try ever.
Nearing the closing stages Saints were given a penalty and opted to go for poles despite being behind by 23 points. The kick went over but it did not help their cause at all. The game soon ended with the score on 26 – 6 in favour of the Candies.
The game started out as an equally contested affair with both sides unable to convert their threats and opportunities into points. It was the Candies who finally broke the deadlock with a try in the corner from winger John Fourie. Anderson failed to convert so the score remained 5 – 0. There were some nervous moments late in the half as Kyle Stanley’s kick was charged and gathered inside Boys High’s own 22m. Fortunately the Saints fly half was brought down just short of the Candies’ line. The half-time score was just 5 – 0.
Immediately after the restart the Candies regained possession and, showing great patience, took the play through phase after phase before fullback Byron Anderson went over. He converted his own try to take the score to 12 – 0.
A penalty from St Johns cut the Candies’ lead, but only temporarily. A brilliant backline move off a scrum saw that Fourie came off the wing into the midfield and over the whitewash for the third time.
Boys High had now cut loose. The Candies’ fourth try came from a Moir break up the midfield followed by a pass to Vaughn Smith on the wing. Smith then sent a kick up field and, following up brilliantly, made a tackle on the St Johns fullback who then spilled the ball straight into flanker Katlego Maake’s hands, which resulted in what must be the easiest and luckiest try ever.
Nearing the closing stages Saints were given a penalty and opted to go for poles despite being behind by 23 points. The kick went over but it did not help their cause at all. The game soon ended with the score on 26 – 6 in favour of the Candies.
11 May 2009
Affies, Boys High give it everything but it’s still not enough
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
The Candies’ effort on Saturday was certainly one of their better performances of the season, but still it was not enough for them to win the famous Pretoria derby.
Affies got on the score sheet first through a penalty goal. This was followed by a try which gave Affies an eight-point advantage. Byron Anderson, who had missed an earlier attempt at goal, was then given a chance to reduce the lead. His second attempt at goal was successful, which took the score to 3 – 8.
Some time later Affies crossed the chalk again after their centre ran straight through the Boys High defence before giving the try-scoring pass to the man on his outside. Their goal-kicker once again failed to convert, but Affies maintained their 3 – 13 lead until halftime.
Coming into the second half the Candies were again put to the sword as Affies would crash over for their third try of the game. The score stayed at 3 – 20 for a good part of the second half. Things looked bleak for Boys High, but a glimmer of hope once again came from inspirational winger, Richmond Collins, when he scored a try in similar fashion to the one against Maritzburg two weeks ago. He went around a defender and then blitzed down the left-hand touchline before being caught close enough to the try-line for his momentum to carry him over for the five-pointer.
Inspired by Collins’s try, that glimmer of hope became a ray of light when makeshift flyhalf Steve Moir threw a brilliant dummy ten metres from the Affies line. It was as though the Red Sea had parted for Moir as he crossed the line untouched to score the Candies’ second try. The score on 15 – 20, and time running out, Boys High kept battering at the Affies defence. However, Affies were determined to hang on for a victory. The final whistle sounded with the score on 15 – 20 to Affies. The significance of their victory is that it is their first on Boys High soil since 2001.
Affies got on the score sheet first through a penalty goal. This was followed by a try which gave Affies an eight-point advantage. Byron Anderson, who had missed an earlier attempt at goal, was then given a chance to reduce the lead. His second attempt at goal was successful, which took the score to 3 – 8.
Some time later Affies crossed the chalk again after their centre ran straight through the Boys High defence before giving the try-scoring pass to the man on his outside. Their goal-kicker once again failed to convert, but Affies maintained their 3 – 13 lead until halftime.
Coming into the second half the Candies were again put to the sword as Affies would crash over for their third try of the game. The score stayed at 3 – 20 for a good part of the second half. Things looked bleak for Boys High, but a glimmer of hope once again came from inspirational winger, Richmond Collins, when he scored a try in similar fashion to the one against Maritzburg two weeks ago. He went around a defender and then blitzed down the left-hand touchline before being caught close enough to the try-line for his momentum to carry him over for the five-pointer.
Inspired by Collins’s try, that glimmer of hope became a ray of light when makeshift flyhalf Steve Moir threw a brilliant dummy ten metres from the Affies line. It was as though the Red Sea had parted for Moir as he crossed the line untouched to score the Candies’ second try. The score on 15 – 20, and time running out, Boys High kept battering at the Affies defence. However, Affies were determined to hang on for a victory. The final whistle sounded with the score on 15 – 20 to Affies. The significance of their victory is that it is their first on Boys High soil since 2001.
08 May 2009
Candy-Coated: Derby Day Approaches
Copy by Michael McLaggan
Saturday 9 May is probably the biggest event on the Boys High calendar. It marks the one-hundred-and-fourth encounter between ourselves and Affies in what has been an epic rivalry that began around ninety years ago when the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool was founded.
The match this year, as always, is expected to be a fiercely contested battle. Even though it was the Candies who stole the show in last year’s legendary match, it is Affies who will go into the game as overwhelming favourites. Affies have been on a roll this season, their most prized scalp being that of Paul Roos who they defeated 25 – 22 at the St Johns Easter Festival.
Boys High, meanwhile, are the underdogs, but history has shown that the Candies always raise their game when it comes to the Pretoria showdown. Richmond Collins will make this his last game of the season before dedicating himself fully to his preparation for the u/17 100m world championships in Italy. And so my prediction is: Candy Stripes win by less than five.
On Saturday the Candies will have to put their dismal season record behind them and look forward to beating the beef out of die Wit Bulle. For, come Saturday, the Candies will be playing for so much more than a win. They will be playing to prove to the boys and the Old Boys that they do have what it takes to win matches. They will be playing for pride and passion. They will be playing to bring glory to the fine institution that is Pretoria Boys High School.
Saturday 9 May is probably the biggest event on the Boys High calendar. It marks the one-hundred-and-fourth encounter between ourselves and Affies in what has been an epic rivalry that began around ninety years ago when the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool was founded.
The match this year, as always, is expected to be a fiercely contested battle. Even though it was the Candies who stole the show in last year’s legendary match, it is Affies who will go into the game as overwhelming favourites. Affies have been on a roll this season, their most prized scalp being that of Paul Roos who they defeated 25 – 22 at the St Johns Easter Festival.
On Saturday the Candies will have to put their dismal season record behind them and look forward to beating the beef out of die Wit Bulle. For, come Saturday, the Candies will be playing for so much more than a win. They will be playing to prove to the boys and the Old Boys that they do have what it takes to win matches. They will be playing for pride and passion. They will be playing to bring glory to the fine institution that is Pretoria Boys High School.
28 April 2009
28 March 2009
Candy-Coated: Boys High Breeze Past St Benedicts
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Boys High made up for the loss over the weekend with a 38 – 3 drubbing of St Benedicts on Wednesday the 25th of March. The Candies led 12 – 3 at the break through two breathtaking tries from winger Richmond Collins, one of which was converted by centre Byron Anderson.
The lead was then increased early in the second half by an equally impressive effort from Collins to go over for his hat-trick try. Another five-pointer from tighthead prop Everleigh extended the lead even further. Next it was eighthman Glen Botha’s turn, as he went over for one of his own to give the Candies a 31 – 3 lead. It was then fullback Ethan van der Walt who put the icing on the cake with Boys High’s sixth try of the day right on the stroke of full time to secure a convincing 38 – 3 victory.
The win will be a morale-booster for the upcoming Easter Schools’ Festival at King Edwards where the Candies will be facing tough opposition in Westville Boys High, Hoërskool Eldoraigne and Rondebosch Boys High.
The lead was then increased early in the second half by an equally impressive effort from Collins to go over for his hat-trick try. Another five-pointer from tighthead prop Everleigh extended the lead even further. Next it was eighthman Glen Botha’s turn, as he went over for one of his own to give the Candies a 31 – 3 lead. It was then fullback Ethan van der Walt who put the icing on the cake with Boys High’s sixth try of the day right on the stroke of full time to secure a convincing 38 – 3 victory.
The win will be a morale-booster for the upcoming Easter Schools’ Festival at King Edwards where the Candies will be facing tough opposition in Westville Boys High, Hoërskool Eldoraigne and Rondebosch Boys High.
24 March 2009
Candy-Coated: KES end their Curse
Copy by Michael McLaggan and Photos by Kyle Handley
Last Saturday will be remembered (by KES boys at least) as the day that they beat Boys High for the first time in over a decade. It was KES who opened the scoring through a penalty to take an early 3 – 0 lead. The Candies were put on the back foot for the good part of the opening stages as KES set up camp in the Boys High half. KES were given a second chance to add to their lead, but the attempt at goal went wide, giving Boys High some breathing space.
It was through a brilliantly taken 45m penalty from centre Byron Anderson that Boys High drew level. After this the Candies started to gain some momentum, and a few minutes later flyhalf Kyle Stanley slotted a penalty of his own to give Boys High a 6 – 3 lead at half time.
Boys High would then add to their lead early in the second half through a Stanley penalty to take the score to 9 – 3. The Candies continued to assault the Reds’ defence and were narrowly denied a five–pointer when the bounce of the ball evaded winger Ezekiel Segole at the critical moment. However, Pretoria were awarded a penalty for an earlier spear–tackle on Anderson which resulted in the KES prop being yellow–carded, and Boys High extending their lead to 12 – 3.
But the game was far from over as KES would hit back by scoring the opening try of the game. The conversion would bring them to within two points. A mistake from the restart gave the Reds a scrum on halfway and another crack at the Boys High line. However, the defence held firm, and through a Candies counterattack, a penalty was awarded to us 46m from the Reds’ line. Anderson, for the second time, landed a beauty to increase the lead to five points.
The turning point of the game occurred with just under two minutes to play. Boys High were awarded another penalty in Red territory. Had Stanley landed the kick it would have been game, set, match, Boys High. But the attempt went wide, allowing KES to counterattack, running the ball from their own line. The Candies’ defence was unorganized and the scrambling defenders gave away penalty after penalty as they panicked at critical moments. Every time KES took the quick tap and ran the ball back at Boys High, edging closer to the Candies’ line until they finally crashed over for the winning try, right on the stroke of full time.
It was through a brilliantly taken 45m penalty from centre Byron Anderson that Boys High drew level. After this the Candies started to gain some momentum, and a few minutes later flyhalf Kyle Stanley slotted a penalty of his own to give Boys High a 6 – 3 lead at half time.
Boys High would then add to their lead early in the second half through a Stanley penalty to take the score to 9 – 3. The Candies continued to assault the Reds’ defence and were narrowly denied a five–pointer when the bounce of the ball evaded winger Ezekiel Segole at the critical moment. However, Pretoria were awarded a penalty for an earlier spear–tackle on Anderson which resulted in the KES prop being yellow–carded, and Boys High extending their lead to 12 – 3.
But the game was far from over as KES would hit back by scoring the opening try of the game. The conversion would bring them to within two points. A mistake from the restart gave the Reds a scrum on halfway and another crack at the Boys High line. However, the defence held firm, and through a Candies counterattack, a penalty was awarded to us 46m from the Reds’ line. Anderson, for the second time, landed a beauty to increase the lead to five points.
The turning point of the game occurred with just under two minutes to play. Boys High were awarded another penalty in Red territory. Had Stanley landed the kick it would have been game, set, match, Boys High. But the attempt went wide, allowing KES to counterattack, running the ball from their own line. The Candies’ defence was unorganized and the scrambling defenders gave away penalty after penalty as they panicked at critical moments. Every time KES took the quick tap and ran the ball back at Boys High, edging closer to the Candies’ line until they finally crashed over for the winning try, right on the stroke of full time.
19 March 2009
Introducing: Candy-Coated by Michael McLaggan
The 21st of March will mark the official start of the Pretoria Boys High School rugby season of 2009. The traditional season curtain-raiser will, as always, be against our oldest traditional rivals, King Edward VII. The significance of this fixture is that KES have not beaten Boys High for over a decade – a streak that Boys High will look to keep, and one that KES will want to end.
In the previous encounter between these two sides in June last year, King Edwards came within a kitten’s whisker to end the drought against their northern rivals, but once again the boys from the south of the Jukskei came up short. Going into the final stages of the second half KES held a one-point lead over the Candies. It took a late try in the corner to steal a 17 – 11 victory at the death, and continue the Candies’ unbeaten streak against the Reds.
Boys High looked to be in good form in the warm-up match against Kempton Park on the 10th of March, with the boys in red, white and green securing a comfortable victory. KES, however, will altogether be a different kettle of fish. They will be more determined than ever to put one past Boys High, and wipe the slate clean. And they will be confident, as the majority of their 1st XV from last year will be playing in the side again this year.
But this is no reason to believe that the Reds will beat the Candies on the 21st of March. History is against King Edwards, and Boys High will go into the game as favourites. Still, it will be hard as KES will give everything that they have to end what has been a very long drought.
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In the previous encounter between these two sides in June last year, King Edwards came within a kitten’s whisker to end the drought against their northern rivals, but once again the boys from the south of the Jukskei came up short. Going into the final stages of the second half KES held a one-point lead over the Candies. It took a late try in the corner to steal a 17 – 11 victory at the death, and continue the Candies’ unbeaten streak against the Reds.
Boys High looked to be in good form in the warm-up match against Kempton Park on the 10th of March, with the boys in red, white and green securing a comfortable victory. KES, however, will altogether be a different kettle of fish. They will be more determined than ever to put one past Boys High, and wipe the slate clean. And they will be confident, as the majority of their 1st XV from last year will be playing in the side again this year.
But this is no reason to believe that the Reds will beat the Candies on the 21st of March. History is against King Edwards, and Boys High will go into the game as favourites. Still, it will be hard as KES will give everything that they have to end what has been a very long drought.
| Recently the school was asked to find out if there are any boys who are interested in rugby journalism. Michael McLaggan, one of our Form III boys, who is a gifted writer with a passion for rugby, came forward. It turns out that this U16 E-team rugby player (and 1st team cross-country runner) had his heart set on a career as a rugby journalist. Here is his first of hopefully many Schoolboy Derby columns to appear in the online ePhobian. |
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