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The top Nelson Mandela Bay u/19 township school rugby teams will have to wait another year to triumph in the annual Eastern Cape FNB Classic Clashes Festival.
Spandau Secondary School of Graaff-Reinet won the trophy for the third consecutive year, under the guidance of Coach Cornell George.
They beat Mary Waters High of Makhanda 26–10, after leading 12–5 at half-time, in an entertaining final played in the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha on Family Day.
Many pundits gave Ndzondolelo High a good chance of breaking the Spandau stranglehold on the tournament.
The Zwide boys produced sparkling rugby to win the Mzwandile Mali Tournament recently, and went into the semi-final against Spandau full of confidence.
Spandau was just too good though and booked their place in the final against Mary Waters, who beat Asherville (Graaff-Reinet) in the other semi-final.
The final was a much tougher encounter than the score might reflect. Spandau scored four tries (and three conversions) against two, but Mary Waters were still in with a chance until the last try was scored, four minutes before the final whistle.
Mary Waters never gave up, and were on the attack when the final whistle blew. There were periods in the match when they dominated, but just couldn’t get over the try line.
Spandau is a team which knows how to win tight matches, and stay cool and calm under pressure.
They started the match with a bad kick-off, and Mary Waters were on the front foot immediately.
Mary Waters were in control for most of the first half, but just before the break Spandau scored two tries, of which the second was a particularly spectacular effort.
This gave Spandau a lot of confidence, and they also scored early in the second half to take the lead 19–5.
Mary Waters launched a strong fightback, with a try almost straight away. The score stayed 19–10 until the deciding try by Spandau.
The public holiday crowd enjoyed the match, after a tentative start by both teams. The players wanted to run the ball like they did in the matches leading up to the final, but were aware to limit mistakes with so much at stake.
There was something for Nelson Mandela Bay to cheer about in the netball tournament that was also part of the festival.
Mzontsundu Senior Secondary School from KwaZakhele is the champion, after beating Spandau 27–14 in the final. Likhona Zoneleli was one of the stars for the winning team. She was named the Shooter of the Tournament.
Other u/19 rugby results:
Grey 57 - Muir 0; Bergsig 24 - Daniel Pienaar 19; Selborne 29 - Pearson 25; Otto du Plessis 12 - Westering 10; Marlow 34 - Brandwag 10; Kirkwood 26 - Andrew Rabie 7; Despatch 26 - Ithembelihle 20.
Fixtures for Saturday, April 13:
Pearson v Stirling, Despatch v Nico Malan, Brandwag v Muir, Daniel Pienaar v Otto du Plessis, Drostdy v Framesby, Dale v Grey, Port Alfred v Andrew Rabie.
