KES snatch dramatic win
23 Mar 2009
A last-minute try gave King Edward a 17-15 victory over Pretoria Boys’ High.
With fulltime approaching, Boys’ High opted to kick for poles when awarded a penalty on the halfway line. It was missed and KES launched a counterattack from inside their own deadball area. After taking the ball through several phases and showing great patience, hardworking front ranker Jarred Saunders went over under the posts.
For KES, flyhalf Lucien Reuters controlled the game well with his boot while centre Jarred Meyer also delivered an imposing performance.
Pretoria Boys’ showed a willingness to attack throughout the game, but were held at bay by the staunch defence of their hosts. They will rue their missed opportunities and the lack of composure at the end that cost them the game.
KES coach Carl Spilhaus told keo.co.za that he was “delighted with the result” and happy that their season had kicked off with a win. However, he will be hoping for a more refined performance from his team in the upcoming fixture against St Albans on Wednesday.
6 Comments
23 Mar 2009, 08:38 am
upset?
23 Mar 2009, 09:25 am
kes first win over Pretoria boys since 98
23 Mar 2009, 09:45 am
#2 Highlander: Went to the game. Lots of errors. Typical early season game. KES got better as the game went on. The KES number 9 and number 7 had great games. Option taking on both sides was not good and KES twice butchered tries with a “Jorrie” instead of letting the ball go through the hands.
23 Mar 2009, 10:05 am
Kes always seem to get out of jail,close call for the REDS
23 Mar 2009, 19:48 pm
Kes just wanted to run everything, which in SA is admirable! Good luck to them this season!
27 Mar 2009, 13:30 pm
Kes had 10 to 15 minutes of this game at a stretch. When Boys High were up 12-3 with five minutes left to play they were firmly in control.
The game changed when Boys High attempted a quick line out throw deep inside their own half. KES collected the loose throw and managed to score close to the posts and convert. This loose piece of play by Boys High put KES right back in the match.
Soon after the restart, Boys High were awarded a penalty which the kicked over successfully. The score was now 15-10 to Boys High and they once again seemed firmly in control.
In the dying minutes of the game, Boys High were awarded another kickable penalty. The kick was missed and KES ran the ball down field with, in my mind, the only real attack of note by KES.
In the end this can be remembered as a game that Boys High lost rather than one that KES won.
I will say that KES remained determined and tackled very well throughout the game. With the amount of quality possession Boys High had, a lesser side than KES would have folded and conceded many points.
KES were keen to attack but most attacks were lateral and easy for Boys High to defend.
I also thought that the linesman who penalised Richmond Collins for using an elbow on the KES wing made a huge error. Richmond went for the ball and did not use his elbow at all.
The KES wing had knocked the ball out of play and Boys High had an attacking lineout on the KES try line had the linesmen not awarded a penalty to KES.
The Boys High side did not manage to get the ball to their dangerous wings during the match and in my mind they played far too tight.
The return match in Pretoria should be a good encounter. Boys High have many tough matches before they meet KES again and I think they will be 45% to 65% better than last Saturday. The nice thing now is that KES are the favourites and have all the pressure when they travel across the Juksei to Pretoria.
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