Grey Bloem flex their muscles
15 May 2010
Grey College confirmed their ranking as the top school in the country in emphatic fashion by thumping the No 2 side, Affies, 23-6 in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
Affies were still in the game, 13-6 down at half-time, but after the break it was all Grey and the hosts never really looked like adding to their points tally.
The big Affies pack more than held their own in the first half and they had the greater share of both territory and possession, but they were let down by some pretty average tactical kicking and when they did manage to put one or two promising backline movements together, they ran into a solid Grey defence.
It was a tackle early in the second half that basically clinched the game for Grey, centre Paul Jordaan knocked his opposite number a good 5m backwards and after he groggily returned to his feet the fizz seemed to go out of the Affies backs and Grey’s speedsters began to entertain the big crowd for the rest of the game.
Affies were first on the board via a Warren Gilbert penalty in the fourth minute after which Affies stayed on attack, without reward, before Grey’s Johan Goosen slotted two penalties to put his side 6-3 up.
The first try of the game came in the 27th minute – Grey fullback, Neil Marais, executed a classic handoff, ran around one opponent and over another to cross in the corner. Goosen converted from the touchline to put Grey 13-3 up and then Gilbert added late penalty for Affies, making it 13-6 at half-time.
In the second half the Grey forwards began to take control. They stole a number of lineouts, and counter rucked well. Goosen added another penalty and the Grey backs began moving the ball about. They were rewarded with a try by left wing Inus Keyser, again converted by Goosen from the touchline, to make it 26-3 in the end.
In a game involving the top two sides in the country one tends to look out for future stars and several stuck their hands up on Saturday. On the side of Grey fullback Marais, centres Jordaan and William Small-Smith and flank Tyron Schultz were prominent.
For Affies no one got through more work than eighthman Nardus Van der Walt. Scrumhalf Poerie van Rooyen is also one to watch, as are lock Schalk Van Heerden and prop Johann Ruatenbach.
9 Comments
16 May 2010, 06:29 am
Here’s the team to go to the Sanix Cup in Japan every year, surely? Why send pretending no-hopers like Marais Viljoen just to get creamed?
16 May 2010, 11:31 am
That is very impressive from Grey College . To beat affies but such a margin in Pretoria is no easy task.
16 May 2010, 11:33 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-1:
Not sure how they choose the team to go to Sanix but Marais Viljoen is not even a regular top 20 school.
17 May 2010, 09:41 am
I was at the game and I must compliment all the affies boys and parents for the atmosphere and the sportsmanship on and of the field . To my almamater well done on your victory and for being humble at all times. Viva la Grey . GCB 93
17 May 2010, 15:28 pm
The second try was scored by Innus Keyser not Kruger.
Two players that stood out for me was Johan Goosen the #10 and also replacement winger Jan Serfontein. He usually starts but played from the bench this week.
Goosen is a class player. Distributes really well and defends just as well. But his kicking is his strongest point.
Pure striker of the ball. Slotting penalties and conversions over from both sides of the field. And with such ease.
In the first half he tried a drop kick from inside his own half and it just shaved the right upright.
Affies lost the plot after some pressure and deviated from the game plan that saw them dominate the first few minutes.
17 May 2010, 17:23 pm
A POC—- Did you make video/DVD of the match which you mentioned as a possibility ? If so, where can it be obtained?
17 May 2010, 21:32 pm
Unfortunately Grey lost too many lineouts on their own throws which cost them possession. With more of the ball the score could have been a lot higher for Grey. Speaking under correction, but I think the game-breaking tackle was by replacement Jan Serfontein in no21 jersey.
18 May 2010, 10:09 am
Hi Vog
Unfortunately the guys didn’t come through on their promises. I actually had a hunch this would happen and that is why I said there might or might not be one made.
There is a guy on Facebook that uploaded some clips. And he did make a DVD. Just search for Baruch Sport on Facebook.
I can’t post a link. My post will be moderated and deleted.
18 May 2010, 11:55 am
A POC Thanks,I know about him. Another also at beleganc @mweb.co.za
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