Dale College edged derby rivals Queen’s College 38-31 in a thrilling match at the Rec in Queenstown on Saturday.

Both sides traded early penalties before Queen’s opened the scoring when loose forward Andisa Ntsila crossed the whitewash for superb try in the 13th minute after some neat inter-play between backs and forwards. Queens pivot Ferreira made no mistake with tricky conversion to give the hosts an early 10-3 lead. Dale responded immediately from the restart when Border Craven Week winger Milani Mqhayi rounded off a movement to score in the corner. Kobese and Ferriera traded penalties before Mqhayi grabbed his second try of the match barging over from close quarters giving the visitors a deserved 21-16 advantage at the interval.

Straight from the restart Queens scrumhalf JP Smith capitalised on a Dale error to score an opportunistic unconverted try to leave the scores locked at 21 apiece. Kobese then gave the visitors the lead with a well struck penalty before Queenian number eight, Johan Meyer, scored the try of the match. Meyer evaded numerous defenders before out-sprinting the cover defence to dive over in the corner .Ferreira nailed the touchline conversion to give the hosts a 28-24 lead in a see-saw contest.

However, indiscretions at the breakdown handed Kobese two more kickable opportunities. The former SA Schools player, who had an exceptional day with the boot, duly obliged. Leading 30-28 the lead again changed hands when Ferreria added his fourth penalty of the contest. With ten minutes left to play the Queens side lead 31-30 and it looked like the home side would avenge their early loss in the season (7-3) against their derby opponents. However the visitors had other ideas and two moments of individual brilliance swung the contest in favour of the Daleions. Firstly,flyhalf Achumile Mashalaba, kicked a snap drop from just outside the 22m line to give the visitors a two point lead(33-31) and then winger Mqhayi scored a solo effort , his hat- trick and the match winner for Dale.

The home side threw everything at the opposition in a frenzied final few minutes but they were denied by some resolute Dale defence. The end whistle blew and Dale had won an exhilarating match 38-31 beating Queens College twice in one season, a rare feat.

Credit to both sides for playing attractive running rugby and scoring nearly 70 points on the day, culminating in bringing the curtain down on a successful season for both schools.