Free State XV U/16 vs Border Country Districts U/16

Recap

Gqeberha, 17 June 2024 – The Free State U16 XV team secured a decisive 29-7 victory against Border CD U16 in their opening match of the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School. The game showcased the Free State team’s resilience and strategic play, particularly in the second half.

Match Summary:

• Final Score: Free State U16 XV 29 – 7 Border CD U16
• Halftime Score: 5 – 7
• Venue: Grey High B-Field
• Date: 17 June 2024
• Competition: U16 Grant Khomo Week 2024

Scoring Breakdown:

For Free State U16 XV:

• Samson Lackay (J #10): 1 try
• Kia Babu (J #22): 1 try
• Johan Dormehl (J #14): 1 try
• Keaton Pottas (J #7): 1 try
• Sean Brown (J #21): 1 conversion
• Penalty Try: 1

For Border CD U16:

• Esam Tokwe (J #7): 1 try
• Indiphinde Ngoma (J #11): 1 conversion

Match Highlights:

The match started with Border CD taking a narrow lead, but Free State U16 XV came back strong in the second half to dominate the game.

• First Half:
  • Border CD opened the scoring with a try by Esam Tokwe, converted by Indiphinde Ngoma.
  • Free State responded with a try from Samson Lackay, ending the half with Border CD leading 7-5.
• Second Half:
  • Free State took control, with tries from Kia Babu, Johan Dormehl, and Keaton Pottas, as well as a penalty try.
  • Sean Brown added a conversion, sealing the victory for Free State.

Key Player Movements:

• Free State made several tactical substitutions, including bringing on Matthew Valentine for Wian Van Der Berg and Dippies Dippenaar for Motlatsi Ramahlape around the 30-minute mark.
• Border CD faced disciplinary challenges, with yellow cards issued to Bokang Somhlahlo and Major Majikela, impacting their performance.

Player of the Match: While the Player of the Match was not officially announced, Sean Brown’s strategic play and successful conversion were pivotal in Free State’s victory.

Key Takeaways:

• Free State demonstrated excellent resilience and tactical prowess, particularly in their second-half performance.
• Border CD showed strong potential but struggled to maintain discipline, impacting their overall performance.

The victory by Free State U16 XV over Border CD U16 at the U16 Grant Khomo Week highlights the high level of competition and the emerging talent in South African rugby. As the tournament continues, more thrilling matches and standout performances are anticipated.