Hugenote sneaks by Swartland, Nico Malan victorious at Punt
Hugenote (Wellington) clawed their way to 26-25 victory over Swartland, in Malmesbury, on Saturday.
Rockies‘ flyhalf, De Wet van Aswegen, delivered yet another standout performance for his side, contributing 15 points, made up of a try, two conversions, and two penalties, but he was left frustrated as Swartland came up short in their last home game.
Van Aswegen deserves credit, however. He put together an outstanding season.
Hugenote kept it simple, but they executed their game plan perfectly. To quote Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs: “Vision is just a multiplier. It’s execution that’s worth millions.”
The Wellington school’s tight five won their scrums and lineouts, while their loose forwards were quick to the breakdown. Their backline made the gain line on most of their phases by restricting long and risky passes. They stuck close together and ran good lines to force line breaks.
In a very free flowing game, the hosts will feel as though they could have been more clinical when on attack. They stayed in the fight, as they have done throughout the season, and it looked as if they would pull off a win, but it was not to be.
Down south, in Mossel Bay, Nico Malan, wrenched a 24-17 win away from Hoërskool Punt.
The visitors’ loosehead prop, Waldo Krige, was a juggernaut that the Punt defence struggled to contain. He ploughed his way over the line for two tries, which proved pivotal.
With Nico Malan’s muscle controlling matters up front, their backs had little work to do.
Flyhalf, Leighton Lawrence, was the only backline player to make it onto the scoresheet, which he did by kicking two conversions.
It was a tight game, with Punt delivering some brilliance of their own. They, too, showed a physical edge, and captain and eighthman, Steven Terblanche, and inside centre, Devandrè Wagenaar, earned themselves tries thanks to their strong ball carrying.
For much of the game, it appeared that Punt would pick up a home win, but, like Swartland against Hugenote, they’ll be left wondering about what might have been. They’ll go back to the drawing board to see where they can improve.
Scorers
Hugenote 26 (16) – N/A; Swartland 25 (20) – Tries: Zaidell Paulus, De Wet van Aswegen, Melchior Botha. Conversions: De Wet van Aswegen (2). Penalties: De Wet van Aswegen (2).
Nico Malan 24 – Tries: Waldo Krige (2), Pietman Kleinhans, Siya Heugh. Conversions: Leighton Lawrence (2); Punt 17 – Tries: Devandrè Wagenaar, Steven Terblanche. Conversions: MC Barnard (2). Penalty: MC Barnard.
Other Results
U19 – Swartland II 3 Hugenote II 10, Swartland III 22 Hugenote III 13, Swartland IV 5 Hugenote IV 10; Punt II 19 Nico Malan II 51, Punt III 7 Nico Malan III 43.
U16 – Swartland A 36 Hugenote A 32, Swartland B 77 Hugenote B 0; Punt A 5 Nico Malan A 24, Punt B 12 Nico Malan B 40.
U15 – Swartland A 29 Hugenote A 10, Swartland B 14 Hugenote B 7, Swartland C 12 Hugenote C 15; Punt A 29 Nico Malan A 26, Punt B 5 Nico Malan B 45.
U14 – Swartland A 9 Hugenote A 0, Swartland B 14 Hugenote B 17, Swartland C 12 Hugenote C 15; Punt A 5 Nico Malan A 24, Punt B 0 Nico Malan B 36.
