From DHS:
DHS 1st XV played some exciting rugby to run out comfortable 39-8 winners over Northwood at Kings Park on Saturday. The game itself swung the Horseflies way early on, as “School” dominated the early phases playing some scintillating running rugby to race to a 13-3 lead after 20min. Explosive flanker Phendulani Buthelezi opened the scoring with one of his trademark runs down the touchline after an excellent offload from eighth man Matthew Hamilton. It was the first of two tries for the flanker. DHS looked to move the ball into space at every opportunity and the large Northwood pack was unable to get a foothold into the game.
The biggest surprise on the day was the front five of DHS who fronted up superbly against the far bigger Northwood counterparts and in the end had the better in all the set piece exchanges. Tight head Tiaan de Jager and loose head Sandile Nduzi scrummed superbly which gave the DHS backs some excellent try scoring opportunities. The DHS lineouts were also dominant with “School” denying Northwood most of their own ball and securing a large percentage of their own. DHS captain Ryan Dafel has really stepped up in this department and could stake a claim for a Craven Week berth on these performances.
It was another stellar performance from DHS scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba whose nifty footwork and decision making the biggest difference. The second half was much of the same with DHS opening up the Northwood defence from scrum time with a well worked move to send left wing Tonderai Ndudzo over for his first of the game. Winger Luthando Buthelezi added his first from a delightful long pass from flyhalf Gert Coetzee which took DHS to an unassailable 24-3 lead. Another try from Phendulani Buthelezi after some exciting interplay reflected the dominance of DHS play on the day.
Northwood managed to get on the score sheet later in the 2nd half as they held the ball through 15 phases to eventually allowing Mvelo Mhlangeni score in the corner. This was after DHS hooker Kamvelihle Fatyela was sin binned for repeated infringement. The final try of the day came from DHS fullback Cham Zondeki, whose performances of late have caught the eyes of more than just the KwaZulu-Natal selectors. This made the score 39-8, an excellent day for DHS rugby and all involved.
@Big Mac: I had a flippin good time in Hatfield Square, but it was the night after the sporting event ?
@Ringo: Well, Durban was always looked at as a holiday town…went there for holidays etc. so that spirit just prevailed during a rugby tour.
And the whole town seemed to accomodate us as we looked for a good time, although all we really needed was a few of the old hotels along the beach front.
Not sure the Durban boys felt the same way about Jo’burg, especially if the best we and the KES boys could offer was a scary night in Hillbrow.
Ja, I am talking a long, long time ago.
@Grasshopper: they leave straight after the last game for Jozi so the night before the game is the only chance they have to hit the infamous Florida Road
@Ringo: Why don’t they have their Fanta on Sat night after the game?
@Big Mac: funny the opposite effect never worked on the boys from Durban though you chaps would take them to Lusitoland and drink more fanta then they did or maybe they just handle their fanta better than the Jeppe boys did theirs….. heard rumours that our current crop of superstars might have a fanta loving problem…. just hope they avoid it at all costs ….. speaking from experience all fanta does is give you a headache you get only one chance to be awesome
at something especially high school then spend the rest off your life thinking could have should have…. oh well the kids these days are better equipped to excel though so lets hope *fingers crossed*
@Ringo: Ja, Ringo…can certainly confirm taking a few Fantas the night before on those Durban road trips back in the day. Got some seriouus klaps from DHS as a result.
Glad school is righting their ship again when I was in school those DHS buggers where some of the scariest bunch around. Would love to see that fixture back again for Jeppe.
@RugbyDad: Jeppe boys seem to struggle down on the coast refs seem to take a liking to us at scrum time and in the breakdown and we seem inflict some of our own impediments especially after a night of cold fantas on Florida Road…. But I would love it if we gave Nortwood a fat snort klap this year when you consider how strong their u14 and u15 are we need to put the fear of the almighty into the school enough to demage the whole rugby pychicie of the school
@McCulleys Workshop: Eish, no pressure for this weekend then. House love to upset our day on Dixon’s though…
@Grasshopper: Anything can happen on the day, but Glenwood shouldn’t lose a game against any KZN side this season.
@Skywalker: Northwood were very poor on Saturday. Lots of missed tackles and they looked clueless on defence. I think Parktown will be extremely tough and Jeppe will run riot.
@Grasshopper: I’ll be contrarian on this one and set College are due a gbig scalp.UMgungundlovu to take iThekwini by 10!
@Vleis: I think DHS are actually favorites vs College and certainly 50/50 vs Glenwood, it’s a Berea derby form means nothing! I’m actually a bit worried DHS might ruin the party in their 150th, you couldn’t write a better year for them if they win both.
A colleague is flying down to DHS on 2 June for his 40th reunion. He said that there are a number of events – black tie dinners, golf, etc. Based on recent results (plus home ground advantage on reunion day), I give DHS a better than 50% chance of beating College on the Saturday.
@ Grasshopper: Should be an interesting couple of matches if School believe they can win, otherwise the Green Machine should just roll over us but these boys keep surprising me week after week. 8)
Well done DHS, the Berea derby is warming up quickly. I think there are actually going to be two, home and away. Glad the Horseflies are finally back. 2006 was DHS’s last Durban derby win, 28-21 and that was the last time the two schools played a double header..
Well done to DHS. As I thought it would be a big win with all that space available for their backs to run. Some outstanding players – I hope it continues for you in this special year.
I hope Northwood take some lessons and keep working hard. Will be a tough year ahead still. Nice to see the u15 age group winning all games I believe. Looking forward to this depth coming through.