Union hosted Cradock High School on Saturday, 18 May for their annual showdown.
It turned out to be an enjoyable morning for all the Union supporters who turned up to watch the encounter, as the rugby teams managed to record several successes: the u/14As won 33 – 7, the u/15Bs lost 5 – 36, the u/15As won 26 – 15, the u/16As won 46 – 12 , the 2nd XV won 37 – 7 and the 1st XV won 33 – 15.
Judging by the entertaining brand of rugby spectators were treated to all morning, the first team match was set to be a good one. The game started with Cradock scoring a try in the first eight minutes, due to some ill-discipline by Union at the breakdown. The ‘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 – their defences were breached once again as Ashton Dawids dotted down under the poles. Brett converted and Union went into half time 21 – 5 up.
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.
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.
Thanks are extended to all the supporters for the tremendous encouragement extended to the players from the sidelines.