EG Jansen finds the going tough at rugby festival

.The festival, played from April 13 to 17, wrapped up with three teams remaining unbeaten and the announcement of four players who each received bursaries to the Sharks Academy.

In the first match, EG Jansen lost 46-19 to Selborne College and then lost in the second game 24-19 to Glenwood.

In the last match, EG Jansen suffered a 29-21 defeat to Hoërskool Framesby.

* Selborne, which showed early on they would be one of the top sides at the festival, played enterprising rugby against EG Jansen.

The game was just five minutes old when Selborne lock Stephan Nieuwenhuizen burst through the defence to score an unconverted try for an early 5-0 lead.

Selborne proved to be a more cohesive unit in their pattern of attack, which enabled the East London side to dominate and score a further three tries before half-time.

Selborne, leading 24-0 at the break, struck early in the second half. Within the first minute, Selborne, playing with 14 players after a yellow card late in the first half, had recycled the ball from a ruck to left wing Afrika Ndinisa, who scored in the corner to increase the lead to 29-0.

With a number of changes, EG Jansen began looking more cohesive and used their forwards to pick and drive, ending in a try for lock Dominique McArthur, converted by Dylan Schwartz.

Selborne replied with another score to stretch the lead to 39-7.

Regular flyhalf for EG Jansen Ruben Beytell came on in the second half and showed that he had been missed when he had a determined run to dot down after a 25m run. EG Jansen’s third try went to fullback Franco van Eeden after some good interplay between the backs.

Selborne struck back later in the game for an impressive win.

* Against Glenwood, EG Jansen was under pressure from the kick-off. They maintained early pressure on EG Jansen but could not convert pressure into points.

Gradually the Boksburg side started spreading the ball, preferring to move the ball through the hand rather than kicking.

Shortly into the second quarter EG Jansen were awarded a kickable penalty but they kicked for the corner. From the lineout, they mauled the ball over the line and lock Reinhardt Venter was driven over to score an unconverted try.

Minutes later a good ball from the back of the lineout was moved out to the left, which eventually led to flyhalf Ruben Beytell diving over. He converted to take the score to 12-0.

Just before half-time Glenwood moved the ball from a ruck scored to reduce the lead to five.

Glenwood changed their tactics in the second half, moving the ball quickly, handling well and running at the EG Jansen defence.

Passing the ball before going to ground, they scored three brilliant tries.

The final seven or eight minutes was spent in the Glenwood half as EG Jansen attempted to improve their points. This came close but a knock-on on the line prevented the try.

They did not give up and from a penalty centre Dylan Schwartz managed to go over with a couple of Glenwood defenders on his back. This was converted by Beytell, but it was too late to secure a win.

* In the final game, EG Jansen were the favourites against Framesby, with neither of the teams victorious yet at the festival. Early on most of the possession was with the Jansen players and it was prop forward Brandon Becker who rumbled over close to the uprights. A good conversion by flyhalf Dylan Schwartz gave them a seven-point lead.

The longer the half progressed the more confident Framesby became, resulting in a try to level the score at 7-7.

Framesby were running the EG Jansen defence from touchline to touchline. A second try gave the Eastern Cape team a useful 12-7 lead and the knowledge that they would now have the wind behind them.

Framesby’s backs were full of running and when centre JP Greyling received the ball he burst through a half gap and, with defenders on his back, managed to dive over. This gave Framesby a 17-7 lead.

Framesby scored twice more, taking the lead to 29-7 and looking like sure winners.

EG Jansen pulled themselves together and two tries, five minutes apart, put them back into the game. The first was by centre Keenan Oelofse and the second by fullback Franco van Eeden. Both were converted by Schwartz.

With four minutes remaining EG Jansen were a converted try behind.

Most of the remaining play took place between the two 22m lines as neither side could score, but it was Framesby that was elated with their 29-21 victory.

Hoërskool Noord-Kaap won the newly presented Standard Bank trophy for the most attractive play at the festival; whilst local team Glenwood, HTS Drostdy from Worcester and Monument from Krugersdorp won all their fixtures over the weekend’s play.

Selborne and Kearsney College each won two of their three fixtures.

The three-day event was well supported with excellent crowds who enjoyed a high standard of competitive rugby.

It was a successful event for organisers and major sponsors Standard Bank, Halfway Ford, Hendok and the Sharks Academy.

In announcing the awards Etienne Fynn, managing director of the Academy, said a great mix of schools from across the country had produced some excellent rugby at the festival.

“The competition out there increases each year, so it’s a reflection on the standard of this festival that many of the schools keep returning,” he said.

“Noord-Kaap brought an outstanding brand of rugby, Monument was abrasive and direct, Glenwood rugby is smooth and well oiled, Dale came with their usual verve and Framesby showed great character.”