King Edward VII School’s (KES) first rugby team, the Reds, as they are affectionately known, earned bragging rights as they beat their arch rivals, Pretoria Boys High School 20–8.
Following their loss to Hoërskool Waterkloof, the Reds were looking to salvage some pride at home against the Pretoria team.
The Reds showed their intent from the onset and were the first to cross the white line, courtesy of Kevin Mpeku.
Without their captain, Lwazi Monakali, who missed the game due to an injury, the home team’s regular flyhalf Kalvin Mills had to shift to the inside centre position and Marc Morrison earned a place as the number 10.
Playing at home in front of a packed crowd, the Reds had most of the ball possession in the opening stages of the game. They were soon rewarded with their second try of the match when winger Mpho Nkambule dotted down in the 28th minute.
A few minutes later, the visitors replied with a try of their own with KES going into the break leading 15–8.
Pretoria Boys came out firing in the second half and spent most of the time in the Reds’ half, but their possession came to nothing as they failed to capitalise on the scoring opportunities they created.
They were made to pay as another great move from the Reds’ forwards led to the team’s third try of the day by Calvin Johnson, but once again, the kickers seemed to have left their kicking boots at home as Mills missed the conversion.
Although the boys from Pretoria staged a late comeback and piled the pressure on the Reds’ defence, it was too late as Mpeku bagged his second try of the game for a well-deserved victory.
