KLOOF High School’s rugby team defended their title in this year’s Gelofte Night Series. The school’s girls’ hockey team also competed in the final and beat Port Natal by two goals to none.
This is the third year in a row that the rugby final was between Kloof High and Gelofte School. Kloof High opened their account with the first point of the match – a try in the corner by flanker, Kwanele Pewa. The conversion was unsuccessful, but Kloof had an early 5-0 lead.
Gelofte came back strong and a short while later got a try of their own. A typical Gelofte drive from a lineout saw them dot down in the corner. The flyhalf duly converted, and they took the lead 7-5.
The rest of the half was a see-saw affair, with neither team really gaining any ascendancy with ball in hand and both defences remaining resolute. Neither team gave an inch. Gelofte went to half-time with their two-point lead intact.
The second half started much like the first half ended, until Kloof High worked a sublime passage of backline play from their own 22-metre line about 12 minutes into the half. It all started when Gelofte kicked on to Kloof winger, Ashley Garrity, who found himself isolated at the back. He managed to step his way out of trouble and head down the touchline towards Gelofte’s tryline. The cross defence had him covered, but a few slick passes and a grubber kick saw centre, Saneliso Ngubane (man of the match), gather and run in under the poles. The try was converted, and Kloof took the lead to win with a score of 12-7.
