Michaelhouse takes down St John’s on Burger Field
Michaelhouse faced St John’s College for the first time since 2021 when the teams met on Burger Field in Johannesburg on Saturday. It proved to be a rewarding visit for ‘House, who recorded a 34-14 victory.
The difference in the contest was the ability of coach Marco Engelbrecht‘s boys to turn turnovers into points with good handling and decision-making in the backline. The home team mustered a couple of tries from turnovers, too, but those were of the breakaway variety as opposed to the swift ball movement that brought success to Michaelhouse.
The Balgowan boys made it onto the scoreboard early through their Sharks Craven Week centre, Alex Jankowitz, who powered over to the left of the uprights after good build-up play, which saw the visitors taking chunks out of the home side’s defence.
St John’s was on the board next, courtesy of some feisty defence, which resulted in an intercept for right wing, Mihlali Tabane, and he showed Michaelhouse a clean pair of heels to go over beneath the uprights. Flyhalf Alec Psillos knocked over the simple conversion kick to put the hosts ahead. That turned out to be their only lead of the game.
The red and white hoops struck back with a try from close range, with Trezeguet Hawkins stretching across the try line just before the St John’s players could react. Jankowitz’s successful conversion made it 12-7.
Fabiano Fierro set up ‘House’s next try, making a small break before sending a low kick off his left boot out wide to Barend de Bruyn, who fielded the kick with open field ahead of him down the touchline. He accelerated away from the covering defence, rounded them, and dotted down behind the posts. Jankowitz’s easy conversion kick made it 19-7 in the 17th minute.
The momentum belonged to Michaelhouse, but when they spilt a ball in a tackle, St John’s again benefitted from a turnover, with lock Allan Njanfang Patu having just enough in the tank to beat the defenders to the try line from just outside their 22. Another easy conversion from Psillos pulled the hosts within five at halftime. In the second half, though, they were kept scoreless.
Seven minutes into the second stanza, a powerful bust by the impressive Jankowitz opened up space for Fabiano Fierro, on his outside, to score, and Jankowitz slotted the conversion.
A turnover forced by tighthead prop Sphelo Mfwazwe just inside the ‘House half then paid dividends, with the visitors sending the ball down the backline to left wing De Bruyn, who jetted clear of the closing defenders to dive over in the corner.
Just before the final, it was the visitors’ turn to benefit from a turnover. Fed the all, flank Kumkani Dwenga sold a super dummy to unlock the defensive line. He then drew the last defender before popping a pass to Jack Carmody, on his outside, and the no. 10 made the dive for five.
Scorers
Michaelhouse 34 (19) – Tries: Barend de Bruyn (2), Alex Jankowitz, Trezeguet Hawkins, Jack Carmody. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz. Penalty: Alex Jankowitz.
St John’s College 14 (14) – Tries: Mihlali Tabane, Allan Njanfang Patu. Conversions: Alec Psillos (2).
Other results
u19
II: Michaelhouse 76 St John’s
III: Michaelhouse 31 Springs Boys’ High I
IV: Michaelhouse 52 St John’s III
V: Michaelhouse 70 St John’s IV
VI: Michaelhouse 42 Springs Boys’ High II
u16
A: Michaelhouse 58 St John’s 21
B: Michaelhouse 47 Springs Boys’ High A 3
u15
A: Michaelhouse 48 St John’s 7
B: Michaelhouse 40 Springs Boys’ High A 7
u14
A: Michaelhouse 36 St John’s 7
C: Michaelhouse 14 Springs Boys’ High A 0
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