Penryn rugby teams draw strength from lessons
Penryn played their third fixture of the Mpumalanga Medium Schools League and were up against Hoërskool Oosterland from Secunda. The previous time these teams played was in last year's Mpumalanga final where Penryn were victorious.
In the junior matches, Oosterland repeatedly used their fast wingers to beat the defenders on the outside.
The junior Penryn teams could not match their opponents for pace and the visitors won both junior games.
The u/16 match was closely contested by both teams, with the scores tied at 12-12 going into the final minute of the game. Unfortunately Penryn conceded a penalty in this last minute and the goal kicker from Oosterland calmly took the pressure kick for the win.
For the second XV match, Penryn quickly built a 17-point lead, but they allowed the visitors back into the match with the score being 17-12 at half-time. Both teams scored a sole try in the second half, with Penryn winning 22-17.
In the first team game, Penryn came out firing and scored in the first minute by sending the ball out wide. The match was dominated by them, with the larger home team’s forwards enjoying the physicality and offloading in contact situations.
This allowed fast play from the ruck situation where the backline created numerous scoring opportunities which Penryn utilised by scoring 10 tries in the match.
Oosterland’s defence could not contain the hard straight running of their rival players and their defensive lines eventually broke down.
They managed to score a solitary consolation try to put them on the scoreboard. “I am pleased that we are learning from our mistakes and improving every week. We are working hard and it is good to see that our systems are effective,” said head coach of Penryn’s first rugby team, Graeme Stewart.
Rugby results
• U/14: Penryn 0, Oosterland 40
• U/15: Penryn 0, Oosterland 45
• U/16: Penryn 12, Oosterland 15
• Second: Penryn 22, Oosterland 17
• First: Penryn 62, Oosterland 5.
