St Stithians Easter Festival wrap (Day 2): Bishops survive Helpmekaar scare in thriller

Bishops held on to beat a spirited Helpmekaar side by the narrowest margin possible in an enthralling clash on day to of the St St Stithians Easter Festival on Saturday.

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Bishops, Wynberg, Kingswood and Michaelhouse will all head into the final day of the St Stithians Easter Festival with their unbeaten records intact. However, Bishops’ name was close to falling off this list as they almost fell victim to an inspired Helpmekaar.

In a titanic tussle, the sides went blow for blow before Bishops ultimately edged Helpemaar 31-30.

The team from Cape Town’s southern suburbs led 12-8 at the break, but Helpies narrowed the gap to a single point with a second penalty kick soon after the restart.

From that point, both teams ran in three more tries and two conversions each, which saw Bishops hold on for dear life to seal the victory.

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In other results, the hosts — Saints — slumped to a heavy 36-17 loss at the hands of Kingswood, who raked in five tries on their way to a top win.

St John’s College from Harare in Zimbabwe must be commended for producing a gutsy performance, despite losing 43-21 to St Andrew’s.

Michaelhouse took down their provincial rivals Clifton 38-21 in an action-packed KwaZulu-Natal derby. And finally, Wynberg thrashed St Alban’s 56-0 in a high-octane, but one-sided encounter.

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ST STITHIANS EASTER FESTIVAL SCORERS (DAY 2):

Kingswood 36 – Tries: Shingi Manyarara (2), Sipho Nonyalela, Praise Matsela, Penalty Try. Conversions: Matsela (3). Penalty: Matsela. 
St Stithians 17 – Tries: Chris Anderson, Francois Botes. Conversions: Anderson, Josh Meyer. Penalty: Anderson.

St Andrew’s 43 – Tries: Jason Dovey, Andrew Baisley (2), Azaphukoyo Nonxub, Joe Wostenham, Jacques Cloete, Joe Bennie. Conversions: Cloete (4). 
St John’s College Harare 21 – Tries: Wayne Kuraimunashe, Stefan Kruger, Joshua Covill. Conversions: Rory Honey (3).

Helpmekaar 30 – Tries: Zack Smit, Jandre Labuschagne, Pieter Moller, Ruan Welman. Conversions: Michael Benzien (2). Penalties: Benzien (2). 
Bishops 31 – Tries: Olo Sopotela, Gilermo Mentoe, Tapiwa Nkumanda, Alex Newton, Lucca Mynhardt. Conversions: Shaywan Blakenberg (2), Gilermo Mentoe.

Michaelhouse 37 – Tries: Leo Muziva (2), Murray Baker, Luke Davidson, Wandile Mlaba. Conversions: Davidson (3). Penalties: Davidson (2). 
Clifton 21 – Tries: Michael Langston (2), Njabulo Dlomo. Conversions: Joshua Kennedy (3).

Wynberg Boys’ High 56 – Tries: Amier Adams, Euwyn Liberty, Yaqeen Ahmed, Matthew Ould, Xola Nyali, Ethan Thomas, Ezra Antonio, Jarryd Jackson. Conversions: Ahmed (5), Joel Kirby (3). 
St Alban’s College 0.

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The Lions mascot was at the Saints fest