IT was one of those sporting occasions when neither side deserved to lose, but eventually the toss of the coin fell in favour of Bertram after they and David Livingstone had played themselves to a standstill in a titanic semifinal in the Northern Areas High Schools Rugby Night Series at Adcock Stadium yesterday.
The teams were deadlocked on 20-20 at the end of regulation time and a further 20 minutes of extra time failed to separate the teams. As has been the rule in the Night Series, a coin was tossed to decide who would advance to the final and that had Bertram celebrating.
You had to feel for David Livingstone, though, because they had produced a dramatic fightback in the second half after trailing 16-8 at halftime.
The Bertram defence failed to secure possession and the ball ended up in Damian Janse's hands and he sprinted nearly 50m for Livingstone's second try.
Muhammad Jacobs added the conversion and then he and Bertram wing Cheslyn Mapoe became involved a remarkable goal-kicking contest.
In this tournament, penalties and drop goals are worth two points and conversions three points.
But Jacobs was equally proficient and he slotted two penalties in succession to put Livingstone 20-18 ahead. With time running out, Mapoe received the ball and slotted a superb drop goal from about 40m out to square it all up again.
In extra time, Jacobs had one chance to win it for Livingstone but he pushed his long-range effort just wide of the left upright.
Bertram's tries came from Kurt Clarke and Rashaad Jantjies, while Brendan Smit crossed for Livingstone in the first half. Today, Bertram will take on Hillside in the final at 6.30pm at Adcock Stadium after they defeated Paterson 18-8.
Hillside set up their victory in the first half through tries by Larry Paulse and Dylan Calvert, who also kicked two conversions and penalty. They led 18-0 at halftime.
Today's action will get under way at 3pm, with the main boys' final scheduled for 6.30pm.
Yesterday's other results:
Losers' section: Arcadia 16 Woolhope 8, Chatty 31 Bethelsdorp 16.
Girls: Bertram 25 Arcadia 5, Paterson w/o v Gelvandale
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