MBOMBELA – Lowveld High School held a 12-10 lead against Alberton High in a semi-final of the Beeld Trophy for medium schools in Mbombela on Saturday. One minute of playing time remained. Alberton were awarded a penalty.
The kick was close to the 22-metre line, a few metres from the left touchline with the smallest player on the field, Alberton scrum half Duane Coertzen placed the ball on the tee. He went through his ritual, stepped forward and stroked the ball through the uprights. Alberton won 13-12 and the players celebrated as the final whistle blew, before play could resume. The Lowveld High boys were devastated. They had given everything, but it was not meant to be.
LHS had fought back from being 10 points down to a two-point lead. It was a remarkable effort they can be proud of. Alberton scored within 40 seconds, when prop Cameron Steyn scored and full back Jullian Carr converted and added a penalty.
The Alberton boys controlled the set pieces and carried the ball well throughout the game. They physically dominated the Lowveld High players. The home team used their superior backline to fight their way back into the game. Lowveld High prop Phetulo Shayi scored a try from a tap penalty, which was converted by fly half Frank Muwayi.
In the second half, LHS ran everything at Alberton and centre Sigelo Shilubane scored a brilliant try, slipping six tackles to give his team the lead for the first time. The lead held until that final minute. The Alberton under 15 team had been camping in the opponents’ 22 for some time. They were awarded two goalable penalties, which they chose to run.
Then one transgression of the laws, one young man with remarkable temperament, made the difference between winning and losing. Alberton High deserved the win. They played with character when the pressure was on.
