Paul Roos Gymnasium not man enough for Paarl Boy’s High
Three first half converted tries ensured Paarl Boys’ High thump Paul Roos Gymnasium, 15-35, in the fifth Supa Quick Premier Interschools match of the 2022 season at the Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch on Saturday. The halftime score was Paul Roos 5-21 Paarl Boys’ High.
The visitors were reduced to 14 men in the 19th minute when Divan Fuller was sent packing by referee Dylan Francke for foul play. The red card inspired the Paarl Boys’ High as they never allowed the talented Paul Roos forwards to get quality ball to their dangerous backline players.
Despite having quality possession in crucial parts of the field, Paul Roos had nothing to show for their efforts in the opening minutes of the match. In contrasting conditions, the visiting team made good use of their possession and converted virtually every time they came within striking distance of the Paul Roos’ try line.
Boys’ High had some standout players like brothers Shah Jehaan de Jongh and Jameel de Jongh, Luke Carew and scrumhalf Juan Loots. The number nine got his name twice on the try scoring sheet in a match where he deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award.
The home side got off to a solid start when they launched some promising attacks with Sampie Joubert gaining valuable metres for Paul Roos. It was, however, Paarl Boys’ High that broke the deadlock when Juan Loots crashed over from close range.
A line break from the visiting side took play to within inches of the try line, but Loots initial attempt at a dot down was held up, the subsequent scrum was turned over by the team from Paarl. This time, Loots getting his try and Thurlon Williams adding the extras handed the visitors a 0-7 lead in the opening ten minutes of the match.
It was almost immediately after their opening try that Boys’ High got their second, this time it was some excellent interplay between the visitors’ backline players. Shah Jehaan de Jongh and his centre partner, Carew, combined in clinical fashion to set up the second try. Fullback Jean Claude Mars ran a very straight and decisive line, getting the offload from Shah Jehaan de Jongh. Williams added the extras, 0-14.
Strong runs from Joubert and his captain Herman Lourens were well supported by fellow forwards Wilbur Loubser and Reno Hirst, ensured the home side enjoyed quality territory but they failed to add any points to the scoreboard.
Paarl Boys’ High were reduced to 14 men when an adjudged foul play saw Fuller being shown a red card in the 19th minute, a few minutes later the PRG side would also be without Luke Graham when the right winger was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
This advantage was used to the full extent when the side from Paarl added their third try with both sides playing with 14 men. Hugo Ben Horn crashed through a would-be tackle from Paul Roos flyhalf Reuben Noble, to dot down under the crossbar, Williams extending the lead to 0-21, as the final ten minutes of the first half approached.
Paul Roos finally got their first points on the scoreboard, this after applying some relentless pressure on the Paarl Boys’ High defense. A rolling maul, metres from the visitors’ try line saw Cameron Miell emerge with an elated shout of joy when he got over for his side’s first try, Christoff De Bruyn missing his first attempt of the match, 5-21. This score would remain as the halftime siren sounded with Paarl Boys’ High heading into the break with a comfortable lead.
It took the visiting side just over ten minutes to get the first points of the second half, despite some strong promising runs from Wilbur Loubser and Hirst, the home side just could not convert any of their possession into points. Loots got his second try when he spotted the smallest of gaps inches away from the Paul Roos’ try line, Williams extending the lead for Paarl Boys’ High to 23-points, as the final 20 minutes approached, 5-28.
In similar fashion to their match against Paarl Gimnasium, Paul Roos slowly reduced the Paarl Boys’ High’s lead with two unconverted tries scored by front rower Loubser and Luke Graham, 15-28 as the final ten minutes of the match edged closer.
Shah Jehaan de Jongh put the proverbial final nail in the coffin when he intercepted the ball and ghosted the entire Paul Roos rush defense. Williams’ conversion sent the flags up high as time on the stadium clock was minutes in extra time.
Final score Paul Roos Gymnasium 15-35 Paarl Boys’ High