In a classic King Price Derby Series game of two halves, Durban High School (DHS) produced a magnificent second-half performance to secure a thrilling 24-19 come-from-behind victory over a dangerous Westville Boys’ High outfit on Van Heerden’s Field on Saturday.
The match did not start according to plan for DHS, who strayed from their tactics, failed to kick contestables, and instead kicked long into the hands of a lethal Westville backline. They paid a heavy price, as Westville delighted their supporters by scoring three superb first-half tries.
To make matters worse, DHS found themselves under immense pressure at the set-pieces, losing their own lineouts and being dominated in the scrums. Yet, showing immense character, School hung on grimly, living off the scraps to ensure the game didn’t slip away.
The second half saw a rejuvenated DHS team take to the field. Sticking to their pattern, they reversed the momentum. DHS fullback Tanwill Onkers slotted four penalties to chip away at the visitors’ lead and closed the gap to 12-19.
Then came the first of two inspirational moments that turned the match on its head. Capitalising on a perfectly weighted high ball, DHS right-wing Ama Mataboge chased after the kick before brilliantly plucking the ball out of the sky to leave the defence stranded. He then finished a spectacular effort under the uprights to give Onkers an easy conversion kick, which levelled the scores at 19-19.
With the game on a knife-edge, the grand finale arrived in the final move of the match. From a stolen lineout, the DHS replacement scrumhalf, Richaard Kriel, reacted sharply, running a brilliant line and showing a searing burst of pace to round the Westville defence and dive over in the right corner to seal an unforgettable victory.
Scorers:
Durban High School 24 () – Tries: Amagelang Mataboge, Richaard Kriel. Conversion: Tanwill Onkers. Penalties: Tanwill Onkers (4). Westville Boys’ High 19 () – Tries: Jadrian Afrikaner, Lwandile Mlaba, Luxolo Sonkonokong. Conversions: Lux Sonkononkono (2).
By Graeme Wepener