Cape Town Waterfront and match day v Bergvleit

Cape Town Waterfront and match day v Bergvleit

We awoke to a beautiful sunny Cape Town winters morning and collected the students from Bergvleit. Mr Watson & Mr Rees did not accompany the other staff as they were tasked with the job of organising a morning activity for 51. Little did we know that on Nelson Mandela’s 94^th birthday we would spend the morning cruising around Table Bay on a catamaran.

 As we left the harbour we were met by humpback whale and a small pod of dolphins. As we cruised the bay taking in the the breath-taking  backdrop of Table Mountain and Cape Town Stadium (built on the waterfront for the 2010 football  World Cup) we continued to spot various pods of dolphin and whale. A swim stop was very popular and many fine swallow dives were displayed by intrepid group members eager to leave the side of the boat to test the blue but cool ocean. Having dried off in the burning sunshine we returned to the waterfront singing happy birthday to Madiba as we entered the harbour after an incredible 2 hours.

The group then spent a while eating and shopping in the V&A Waterfront prior to a drive to the Muizenberg beach, some chose to swim, some paddle while other were content to people watch and admire the numerous surfers testing their skills in  the perfectly formed waves. The group then re-boarded the coach for the short journey to Bergvleit for the evening fixtures.

Bergvliet Fixture

1^st XI match

Won 4-0 (Cannon 2, Pincott, Harris)

This match was played at a high tempo as the team enjoyed a little more time and space and the 4 month old bright blue astroturf which had recently been renovated from the grass which many schools here play on. Due to this, we were able to get our first goal in the first 3 minutes from Georgie Cannon, which was done with huge skill within the ‘D’ with a cracking reverse sweep. This type of pitch truly was the kind of surface in which Georgie was all over. Although Players like Georgie, Amy Jones and Mimi Pincott showed huge skill upfront, we were, as a team, able to push forward powerfully with accurate passing from the backs and midfield.  This showed the opposition that we were going to be a threat throughout the game as we were barely releasing any sweat due to the amount of passing that was going on. Georgie Cannon again was dangerous in the ‘D’ which resulted in a strong strike getting our second goal of the match. Just before half time, the strong work from upfront by Amy Jones and Mimi Pincott again resulted in strong passing between Amy Jones and Mimi Pincott resulting in an easy third goal.

After half time the opposition upped their game slightly meaning it was hard for us to push through. But despite the oppositions strong centre defence, Alice Shea and Vicki Harris used the left wing to fly in another goal. The teams structure and play meant that the game was shared and meant that players were able to play with pure skill and use the space on both sides of the pitch. The team played very well and used each other accurately and passes were quick resulting in a win of 4-0.

Player of the match: Emily Pascoe

Report written by: Mimi Pincott and Emily Pascoe

2^nd XI match

Won 4-0 (Lawrence 3, Pincott)

Report written by: Molly Creed and Amy Lawrence

St Edward’s started the game slowly but soon picked up the pace with some fantastic passing from Ellie Hunt. Mimi Pincott and Amy Lawrence linked well in the forward line and Lawrence scored within the first 4 minutes. This lifted the team’s spirits and improved their confidence. This resulted in another goal from a short corner, converted by Pincott. Strong passing between Hannah Smith and Emily Shea ensured that the ball was transferred across the pitch accurately. This gave St Edward’s the advantage in the early stages of the match. The third goal came from another short corner which went into the goal in the top left corner, a second goal for Lawrence.

With a three goal lead the team had sharpened up their passes by using the width and spreading the play which opened upfurther opportunities for the team. St Edward’s defence, made up of Captain Sarah Reid, Clare Royle, Molly Creed, Hannah Smith and Imogen Parnham made any attack from the opposition very difficult. Creed in particularly was strong in her tackles and few attacks got past her.

The second half started strong with an early goal which secured Lawrence’s hat-trick. Good skills from Lottie Cooper in right midfield, linking well with Creed made quick, sharp passes into Katie Paul in the centre of midfield. Amy Jones made it hard for the opposition to gain possession.

The game was undoubtedly the best the team has played as a unit in South Africa so far and has left the team in very high spirits for their final game on tour.

Player of the match: Molly Creed

Rugby St Edward’s Development XV v Bergvleit U16/17

As the sun set and the floodlights came on the game kicked off after a lengthy preparation for the St Edward’s XV; a side composed of the youngest and least experience players. The game was unfortunately held up after 5 minutes of frenetic rugby in which St Edward’s exerted almost continual pressure as they tried to impose their game strategy on their eager opponents. In an unfortunate incident at a line-out on the opposition 10 metre line Matt Woods landed awkwardly injuring his ankle in the process. A lengthy period followed as Matt was expertly treated by the pitch side medics and the staff. When the game restarted the St Edward’s side settled their nerves in the best possible way with a well worked try by Oli Pickering converted by Tom Hage.

The remainder of this report is best left to players: Max Roberts and Sam Hartley

The game recommenced with St Edward’s determined to continue to play high tempo game,designed to pressure the opposition in both attack and defence. After good work at a midfield breakdown and quick hands through back line saw Tom Hage thread a pinpoint miss pass to Oli Pickering out on the wing who finished clinically after stepping inside the last defender to score.

St Edward’s kept the pressure on Bergvleit through the forwards and after a series of powerful pick and drives they were rewarded with a try through Alex Rook. The St Edward’s back line continued to cut the opposition apart and after a jinking run from Tom Hage St Edward’s furthered their lead when he scored under the posts to give St Edward’s a comfortable 17 – 0 half time lead.

The second half carried in very much the same vein as the St Edward’s players grew in confidence, but perhaps lost a little of their shape failing to play the patterns practiced. It did however see many players putting in some very strong runs which continually saw them make significant inroads into the opposition’s territory. Particularly evident in this period was Sam Hartley and from one of his runs which was ended by a dangerous tackle which saw the host reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. This advantage was however short lived as the Head Boy turned bad boy in the eyes of the referee and was similarly dispatched to the “bin”.

St Edward’s were unable to adjust to this loss and immediately conceded sloppy try. As the game developed St Edward’s re-established the composure and control demonstrated in the first half and their hard work was rewarded with a thriller of a try from George Burton which was converted by Tom Hage.

The game ended soon after with St Edward’s prevailing 24 – 7

Man of the match: Max Roberts

Although the squad were delighted to have won the squads mood was slightly subdued as they showed their concern for Matt Woods.