Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk’s (MVN) u/9 rugby team lifted their game in the second half to score a 15-5 victory over Komatipoort Akademie at Hoërskool Nelspruit on Tuesday. The teams produced creative attacking rugby and had the crowd on a knife-edge until the final whistle.

Komati were superb in the first half, dominating possession and territory.

Both teams played exciting running rugby and defended well. This made for a tight game. Despite Komati’s dominance, MVN fly half Damian de Beer scored first to give his team a five-point lead.

Komati ran a five-metre penalty after the half-time hooter had sounded. It seemed they had fluffed the opportunity to score when they lost possession. A poor clearance kick by MVN gifted Komati the ball and fly half, Lourens Preller, scored a try from the resulting attack.

The half-time score was 5-5.

MVN came out snorting in the second half and scrum half, Kegan Berry, finished off an excellent team try in the right corner shortly after the restart.

The highveld team lifted their game in the second half and Komati were pinned in their own half and simply did not have enough attacking ball. MVN’s De Beer claimed his second try from constant constructive phases to take the score to 15-5.

Komati’s players were gracious in defeat and this team must be watched in years to come. They are spirited and will no doubt learn from their mistakes.