UHS defeat St Andrew's 17 - 10 | Graaff-Reinet Advertiser

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - This past Saturday, 9 March, Union's rugby teams took on St Andrew's School, Bloemfontein, in their first home game of the season.

This derby day is starting to become a highlight on the school's yearly sports calendar and is eagerly anticipated by both schools.

The day started well with the junior teams and second team putting forth remarkable performances. This set the stage for an all-out clash between the two first teams.

As expected, the game started with a bang and was played at an astounding pace, with both teams attacking and defending with gusto.

In the end, however, it was Union that managed to breach their opponents' defences - first with Luke McNaughton crossing the line after excellent ball retention and superb backline play.

St Andrews then hit back with a well-worked try to even the scores out at 5 all.

Union then capitalised on an excellent build-up just before half-time, where Brett Amsterdam took a quick tap penalty with an excellent run which set Junior Duba up for Union's second try under the poles. This was converted by Jayden Brotherton.

Union took the lead at 12-5 at the half-way stage.

The second half started with an aggressive attack and big hits by St Andrew's in defence.

Union, however, took the first advantage early on in the second half, scoring a fantastic well-worked team try through amazing backline play that put Bladen Jacobs away in the corner for Union's third try to make the score 17-5.

"Without the hard grind from Union's forwards up front, these platforms cannot be laid for opportunities such as these and credit needs to go to them for showing their dominance in phases against a much bigger pack, making these tries even more spectacular," said coach Stephen Bezuidenhout.

From that moment on Union was put under tremendous pressure as St Andrew's showed amazing skill with excellent ball retention setting up wave after wave of attack which really tested Union's defensive grit, forcing Union to make over 100 tackles for the match.

Despite the barrage of runners, Union's defences held true with the boys throwing everything they had in stopping St Andrew's from crossing the try line.

Mention must be made of Mack Rubige, Ebben Johnston and Cleathon Koeberg who lead with the highest tackle counts for the match. In the end, it was an out-and-out a team effort on defence, which was only breached in the last minute allowing St Andrew's to score, ending the match with the final score at 17-10 in favour of Union.

"Thanks must be made to all the supporters who came out to watch the match and the school for backing our boys in true Union spirit - it is very much appreciated," concluded Bezuidenhout.

Union High School's 1st XV defeated St Andrew's, Bloemfontein, 17-10, on Saturday.