IT was icy cold and wet when President High School took on Goudrif in a league match over the weekend at President.
It was raining intermittently and the icy wind probably made the wind chill temperature only three or four degrees. These were not ideal conditions, but this did not deter both teams from really trying to play attractive rugby.
Goudrif started the better of the teams and used the strong wind at their backs to good advantage. Some of their touch finders were pin point and very far too.
It was from one of their early penalties that they set up a line-out about six metres from President’s line. They did the basics well and, despite the strong wind, managed to throw the ball in straight.
Their driving and mauling were superb the whole game and President did not have any answers. The kicking at poles was obviously a lottery, but the visitors did manage another two tries before half-time, including another from a line-out.
President did, however, manage to come back with a try of their own after a concerted attack with a number of phases. It was scored by their player of the match Dean McGear. He really played well throughout. Emmanuel Pietersen converted and cut the deficit to 7-17 at the break.
This didn’t really materialise, as they seemed not to make good use of the conditions.
When Goudrif started counter-attacking from deep they looked far more dangerous. President also, although they never gave up, made too many mistakes to be effective. The comeback they staged during the two teams’ game in the NWU competition didn’t repeat itself as Goudrif seemed too clinical this time round. They weren’t going to be denied.
President did score two more tries through McGear and a superb try to Faiek Hendriks with Pietersen converting one try and adding a penalty, but Goudrif eventually ran out victors by 33-22.
It was a heated and passionate game in many ways, with coaches from both sides being sent off the field to the stands.
*Written by Wayne Raath
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