High School CBS Host Touring South African Side

The High School CBS Clonmel recently played St. David’s Marist Inanda School, a touring side from Johannesburg, South Africa.

This was a keenly anticipated encounter on the High School sporting calendar and the High School students and staff packed the touchlines to cheer on the boys in black and red.

The sun came out for the occasion and despite the blustery conditions, a feast of attacking rugby was served up for all to enjoy.

St. David’s showed no signs of fatigue on the last stop of their Irish tour where they had previously played Garryowen, Galwegians and Cill Dara.

They were slick and inventive in attack requiring the High School defence to be alert. Indeed, a feature of the opening half was the commitment of both teams in the tackle.

Cian O’Sullivan brought a cheer from the crowd when he made a last gasp tap tackle to stop a certain try on the wing. Moments later Kevin Kophammel made a try saving tackle on St. David’s number 8.

High School captain Eoin Power marshalled his team from full back and he made a fine kick to touch from a penalty to give the High School an attacking lineout on St. David’s five metre line.

Ben Lonergan caught the ball and set up a maul. Eddie McIntosh made a drive for the line but was tackled into touch. St. David’s cleared their line and brought the play back up the field.

Just before half time, some confusion in the High School ranks gave St. David’s a lineout inside the home 22. From the attack, St. David’s scored a good try. The conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead at the break.

In the second-half, St. David’s brought on their impact players they were holding in reserve. Yet the High School redoubled their efforts in the tackle with Cian Walsh, Evan Phelan and Jack O’Loughlin to the fore.

Eventually St. David’s ran in two more tries before the final whistle. However the final score (17-0) did not reflect the closeness of the game which was very competitive but played in great spirit.

Both teams and coaching staff enjoyed a post match meal in Clonmel Park Hotel. High School Deputy Principal Anthony Reynolds presented St. David’s coach Johan Black with a plaque to commemorate the rugby match.

St. David’s captain Marcell Scheepers made presentations to High School captain Eoin Power and coaches Colm O’Loughlin and Brendan Mullan. It was a fitting end to a great occasion and hopefully we will see St . David’s back on the High School pitch in the near future.