Dale overcome Queen’s College in thriller

The gods smiled on the Dale first rugby XV on Saturday at their 153rd Reunion when they held on desperately to beat traditional rivals Queen’s College 13-12 in a cracker of a match.

The result mirrored the two curtain-raisers which were also tight affairs with Dale thirds winning 18-15 and Dale seconds squeaking in 14-13.

Prior to the first team match which was blown by former international referee Jonathan Kaplan, about 50 old Dalians of the class of 1964, who arrived from all parts of the country, gathered in the centre of the field where sang their school’s war cry. It was a poignant moment.

On Friday night the Dale first hockey team went into half-time against the highly-rated Queen’s team 1-0 up but then had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The first team rugby clash, highlighted by crunching tackles, fierce forward exchanges and equally fierce defence, saw Dale dominate territorially and go into a 7-0 halftime lead from a try by Luzuko Mase converted by flyhalf Courtney Winnaar.

After the break two successive long-range penalties by Winnaar had Dale 13-0 ahead and looking comfortable before Queen’s launched a stunning comeback.

Queen’s were aided through the yellow carding of a Dale forward for repeatedly slowing down play and for long periods they threatened the Dale tryline where only suicidal defence held Queen’s out.

Despite being awarded penalty after penalty the decision by Queen’s to kick for the corner instead of going for posts may have cost them dearly.

But finally dangerous left wing Jerry Danquah crossed over far out for an unconverted try and with their tails up, the Queenians continued at pound away in the Dale 22m area.

A second try to Queen’s scrumhalf Raegan Oranje set up by powerful eighthman Dancan Mureguzi and converted by flyhalf Leroy Kuyler took the score to 13-12 with four minutes remaining and Dale were made to hang on for dear life.

Then, with just seconds remaining Queen’s right wing Sikhokele Ngozi broke free down the right flank and passed to Mureguzi who pinned his ears back and sped to the tryline but Kaplan ruled the pass forward, signalling the end of yet another epic encounter between the schools.

Dale head coach Grant Griffith said Dale expected a tough game.

“We had the better of the first half then were made to defend in the second. I don’t know if anybody knew the final score until the end and well done to Queen’s for an excellent second half.

“I’m really proud of the way my team defended and there are quite a few sore bodies today,’’ he added.