Horseflies and Grasshoppers on top against their Eastern Cape opposition

 

Durban High School’s three converted tries were enough to see off a determined Hoërskool Nico Malan outfit 21-0 in game four of the opening day.

The much-vaunted KZN side lived up to their billing, bouncing back well from their defeat to Rondebosch last week, to deliver a skillful and physical display here. With matches against Hoërskool Rustenburg and Pearson High School still to come, Peter Engledow’s charges will be eyeing a 100% record.

Nico Malan was industrious on offence, showing a real willingness to swing the ball around, but just couldn’t live with the size and strength of their opposite numbers for the full 60 minutes.

DHS skipper Muhle Sithole rumbled his way over from the back of a driving maul to open the scoring, before Adriano Jackson added his side’s second, with a well-worked finish in the left-hand corner.

To their credit, the Bloutrui refused to fade, throwing several counter-punches DHS’ way. Their defensive bravery also stopped the DHS attack on numerous occasions but ultimately they didn’t have enough in the arsenal to unlock the DHS defensive system.

A late try by flyhalf Aka Boqwana was the last play of the game, as the Durbanites cantered home in the end.

Glenwood High School took their chances when they mattered most to see off Hoër Landbouskool Marlow 14-6 in a low-scoring affair in the third game of Day 1.

Having won all three of their festival games last year, the Green Machine, playing in red, were eyeing the perfect start to this year’s event. As it happened, they got what they were looking for by making good on the few chances that came their way.

In what was a proper game of attrition, it was Marlow who looked sharper out the gate, putting Glenwood under real pressure early on. They couldn’t capitalise on that ascendency however, with two attempted Gideon Jordaan penalties going wide of the mark to let the KZN side off the hook.

The Cradock boys were made to rue those missed opportunities a few moments later when Leo Weber nailed a three-pointer of his own to give Glenwood the lead.

Despite their slender advantage, Derek Heiberg’s side slowly began to assume control of the tempo, with the 3-0 half-time scoreline not an accurate reflection of their dominance.

Marlow was better in the second half, but another Weber penalty extended the Glenwood lead before the Eastern Cape side were rewarded for their staying power when Jordaan came right with his third attempt at goal.

Unfortunately for them, a rare lapse in defensive concentration allowed Glenwood flyhalf Kungawo Ncamazana through to score in the defining play of the game.

Jordaan and Weber traded penalties thereafter, but Glenwood hung on for the win.

Scorers:

Durban High School 21 (14) – Tries: Mahle Sithole, Aka Boqwana, Adriano Jackson. Conversions: Boqwana (3). Nico Malan 0.

Glenwood 14 (3) – Try: Kungawo Ncamazana. Penalties: Leo Weber (3). Marlow Landbou 6 (0) – Penalties: Gideon Jordaan (2).