Penryn teams to defend their title

Penryn College hosted the Lowveld leg of the Mpumalanga medium schools semi-finals. Penryn’s first XV and second XV are unbeaten in the league this season, and were once again looking to book their spot in the provincial finals.

Penryn maintained possession of the ball through multiple phases of play and converted this into scoring opportunities.

The home team’s forwards successfully carried the ball over the advantage line and fast service from the Penryn scrum half did not allow Lowveld’s defensive lines to reform.

Also see: Penryn College hosts rugby teams from Lowveld High and Komatipoort Academy

The half-time score was 13-0 to Penryn. In the second half the visitors’ side had a few opportunities to run the ball, but Penryn’s defence held and Lowveld appeared to have run out of options.

Penryn scored another two tries in the second half for a convincing 25-0 win.

“As the coach I am pleased with the ball retention and that our defensive lines held. There were unfortunately a few unforced errors on our side which cost us some points, but we will regroup and work on them for our upcoming tour and provincial final,” said Graeme Stewart.

Penryn’s second team were up against Hoërskool Barberton and immediately took control of the match with their passing game. The half-time score was 31-0 to Penryn. In the second half, Penryn continued their onslaught and scored another two tries and kept Barberton out of the match with no scoring opportunities.

Also read: Two wins for Penryn in rugby week

In the u/14 match, it was Curro Nelspruit up against Kanonkop from Middelburg. It was a tough encounter with the score going back and forth. In the end the Curro players showed good commitment and won the match 24-14.

A determined u/15 side of Oosterland overcame the talented Lowveld High team and won the match two tries to none, 12-0.

The u/16 match was a repeat of the u14s’ with Curro again playing Kanonkop. It was a close contest.
In the end it came down to the kickers and here Curro were victorious and won 15-12.

Penryn first XV point scorers:
• Tries: Ernest Mthethwa (2), Wethu Shongwe, Albert Hechter.
• Conversions: Mthethwa
• Penalties: Mthethwa

The finals will be played at Penryn on Saturday July 23 (the following teams have qualified):
• U/14: Curro vs Barberton
• U/15: Oosterland vs Kanonkop
• U/16: Curro vs Barberton
• Second: Penryn vs Kanonkop
• First: Penryn vs Kanonkop.