There was a huge crowd on the second day of the Cottco Rugby festival yesterday where Churchill suffered a 20-24 defeat at the hands South African team Sarel Cilliers in a very tight match. Brian Zungu, Manqoba Mqadi, Ndumiso Ngobese, Mcebo Mnguni all contributed to the visitors’ victory.

Steven Brown, the Sarel skipper, conceded the match was tough.

“It was a good game, it was quick and I am happy we beat Churchill,” he said.

“Our forwards were good and I am sure that we will be able to have a higher score in our remaining matches.”

The other big duel yesterday pitted Lomagundi and hosts Prince Edward.

It was a very competitive match and it was not until the second half that the Tigers took a 10-0 lead.

That’s how it stayed until the end.

Brian Zungu scored two tries as St George’s walloped Heritage 52-5 in a one-sided encounter.

We managed to play according to our game plan,” said Zungu.

“The match was exciting as we were more physical than our opponents, which also gave us an edge.

“We now look forward to the next games and we are not going to sit down in as far as preparations are concerned.

“We are hoping to continue with the fine form and face some more tough and exciting encounters.”

Peterhouse beat Midlands Christian College 3-0 in a tight contest.

The only converted penalty of the game came two minutes before time.

Machemedze Mutandwa took responsibility to give his side victory.

“We did not play well in the game. They closed on us and we could not penetrate them,” said Mutandwa.

We now look forward to the next game, which we need to improve.

“The game against Eaglesvale is likely to be a tough one but we will try to take it to them.

“We still have many games to play and the first one will motivate us.”

Captain Recce Comberbacb said there was room for improvement.

“A lot of training needs to be done but all the same I still feel that just one session of polishing up on our forwards then we will be able to win in our next matches,” Comberbacb said.

Out-of-sorts Hillcrest were beaten by Kyle College 8-29 but coach, Crispen Mhike, is hopeful that they will get it right.

“The day did not belong to us but we tried our best.

“We are now focusing on the Prince Edward game which we should try and win. Tinashe Chikomo and Samuel Machona had a good game and we hope they will influence the team to a victory.”

Results

St Johns’ 37, Eaglesvale 3; St Martins 15, Gateway 10; Kyle 29, Hillcrest 8; St George’s 52, Heritage 5; Sarel Cillers (SA) 24, Churchill 20; MCC 0, Peterhouse 3; Prince Edward 10, Lomagundi 0