Kwaggas lose out to Union

GRAAFF-REINET RUGBY NEWS - On Saturday, 18 May, Union High School's rugby teams faced off against their opponents from Cradock High School for a full set of rugby fixtures.

In the run-up to the first team's match, Union's u.14A's won 33 - 7, the u.15A's won 26 - 15, the u.15B's lost 5 - 36, the u.16A's won 46 - 12 and the second team won 37 - 7.

On the same morning, Union's third team played against Jansenville's first team, losing the encounter 24 - 10.

Judging by the entertaining brand of rugby spectators were treated to all morning, the first team’s match was set to be a good one.

The game started with Cradock scoring a try in the first eight minutes..

Union’s 'Mighty Whites' soon lifted their intensity levels and bounced back with a good lineout maul, resulting in Zusakhe Ngwane diving over to get Union onto the scoreboard.

Brett Amsterdam converted to make the score stand at 7 - 5 in Union's favour.

Keeping possession by setting up phases and good execution, saw Gary Shell cross over for Union's second try. Brett converted once again, taking Union's tally to 14.

Union kept the pressure on and ran fiercely at Cradock, whose defences were breached once again as Ashton Dawids dotted down under the poles. Brett converted and Union went into half time 21 - 5 up.

Union High on the run.

The second half was closely contested for the first 20 minutes.

The 'Mighty Whites', however, then shifted their play up a gear and got the structures back into place.

Brilliant interplay between backs and forwards saw Ashton Davids score an amazing team try. Brett converted to increase Union's lead to 28 - 5.

A lapse in concentration led to a Cradock try on the blind side. The score now stood at 28 - 10 to UHS.

Union then piled on the pressure, sucked in defenders and exploited the space wonderfully as Bladen Jacobs scored in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful and the score then stood at 33 - 10 in Union's favour.

A solid tackle during the u.15A rugby match between UHS and CHS.

Cradock scored a third try due to Union not shifting quick enough on defence. The conversion was missed and the final score was 33 - 15 in Union's favour.

Union's try scorers were Zusakhe Ngwane, Gary Shell, Ashton Dawids (2) and Bladen Jacobs.

Brett Amsterdam successfully converted 4 from 5.

The school extends its thanks to all the supporters for the tremendous encouragement extended to the players from the sidelines.

Winning the ball from a set scrum.