Revenge for Penryn first rugby team
Even though there were happy faces all around in White River this past weekend, there was also nail-biting action on the sports field during the annual Uplands Penryn derby.
Rugby
The tables have been turned. Penryn College first XV ended the final fixture in the league phase for medium schools in solid fashion, beating Uplands 18-15.
The pressure on the home team was immense. The match was characterised by good straight running from the larger forward pack of Penryn and quick service from the scrumhalf which allowed their back line to gain momentum to take the early lead of10-3 at half-time.
In the second half Uplands got back into the game with a couple of good back-line tries down the touchline. Penryn never gave up and maintained their structures to hold off Uplands and centre Ryan Begg sliced through the Uplands defence to go over for the winning try.
This win leaves Penryn undefeated in their league matches and they finish on top of the league going into the Mpumalanga semi-finals against Bergvlam at Penryn on June 13.
Uplands won the first derby match that took place earlier this year 28-18.
Netball
Although Uplands’ first netball team made a clean sweep against their opponents, the first two of four quarters were a tough battle. Uplands only managed to secure their victory in the last 10 minutes. Of the 10 games that were played, Penryn only managed to win four and draw one. Their u/16 A team narrowly beat Uplands 19-13 and the u/14A game was a nail-biter with the visitors winning 13-12.
Hockey
The first boys hockey match ended in a draw, 0-all. Both teams had opportunities to get the ball in goal with short corners, but due to excellent defence by the goalies, no one could manage to get points on the board.
Uplands’ first girls team won their match 2-1. Thirteen matches were played with Penryn College victorious in seven.
Tennis
In one of the most-anticipated matches over the weekend, Penryn draw two all with rivals, Uplands. The boys first team of Uplands won 36-19 whereas Penryn second boys team won by one point, 28-27. The latter’s second girls team won hands down 30-16 and the first girls team of Uplands won 28-27.
Uplands MTB Classic supported by Valencia & Caltex
Contego Pro MTB team rider, Lourens Luus with an average speed of 25,71 kilometres per hour was first to finish the 50 kilometer race on Sunday in a time of 01:56:42.
Hot on his heels was Declan Sidey who crossed the finish line in 01:59:03.
Sixteen year old Gabriel Paterson claimed the first spot over 19 kilometers in 53:38 while13-year-old Jean van der Merwe came second in 54:56.
