Supporters got to witness schoolboy rugby at it’s very best in a thrilling match won 26-25 by Kearsney against Glenwood. The match had been billed as one of the biggest games of the KwaZulu-Natal season and it lived up to expectations in every way with the lead changing hands before the winning try was scored by Kearsney virtually at the death.
Kearsney got off to a flying start. They controlled possession from the kickoff, moved the ball through the hands and scored the first try when prop Mtholozisi Moloi powered over from close range in the 2nd minute. Tristan Tedder converted the try to put the home team up 7-0.
Kearsney continued their domination of the game. The first quarter of the match belong almost entirely to the hosts in terms of possession and territory. Uncharacteristically Glenwood struggled to settle during this period. Kearsney launched numerous attacks. The One-stripes displayed a wide range of skills and impressed with the speed and continuity of their threatening game.
Christopher Lines had been playing well for Kearsney in the lead up to this match. During this game he took his form to another level and stood out head and shoulders above all others on Stott Field. The x-factor fullback was without doubt the player of the match. His upfield bursts be it from kick-return runs or from joining the backline were exceptional and he made an impact almost every time he touched the ball. It wasn’t just his speed that was telling, he showed remarkable strength to stay upright and continue forward in and after contact. It goes without saying that he was a difficult customer for the first time tacklers to deal with on the day.
Kearsney extended their lead to 10-0 in the 17th minute. Hands in the ruck being the reason for the penalty which Tedder kicked over. At that stage, the score seemed to be an accurate reflection of the way play was unfolding.
In the 27th minute Glenwood had one of their only real attacking positions of the half. Jaco Coetzee broke the line in midfield but his final pass that sent Corne Vermaak clear and on his way to the try-line was ruled forward. Glenwood were called back and awarded a penalty from an earlier advantage being played. Scrumhalf Kyle Gerhard’s kick reduced the deficit to 10-3.
A few minutes later Glenwood missed touch from a penalty but were handed back possession in a favourable spot when the ball skewed off Lines’ boot and into touch just outside the Kearsney 22-metre area. Overall it was not a good day at lineout time for Glenwood but they won this crucial throw-in, got it out quickly and executed a set move involving Coetzee as the decoy and Rupert Kay as the carrier down the middle. Quickly recycled ball was then distributed to the left where prop Kobus Theroux sold a textbook dummy and then showed surprising speed for someone of his 100-plus-kg size to race into the opening he had created for himself and finished with a try near the posts. Gerhard converted to level matters at 10-10.
Another excellent run by Lines took him to within centrimetres of the Glenwood try line, where the visitors infringed by playing the ball in the ruck. Tedder slotted the penalty from the corner to hand back the lead to Kearsney at 13-10, which they took into the halftime break. Kearsney’s domination of the half was not evident on the scoreboard. Although their first defensive line had let them down on occasions, Glenwood’s second line and their contesting of ball on the ground had served them well and they deserved praise for the manner in which they had dealt with Kearsney’s onslaught.
The first points of the second half were also initiated by the dangerous Chris Lines. A penalisable tackle on him led to an attacking lineout being set up. Lines may have been the star on the day but Kearsney hooker Jordan Meaker, who a school master later described as the most improved of all 15 boys that had started at the College in Grade-8, had a match to remember as well. Meaker’s accurate lineout work was complimented by his telling contributions on open play. Kearsney won the offensive lineout set-piece and pressurised with controlled openside advances towards the Glenwood line before exploring an option to go blind. Here Meaker spotted a small hole in the Glenwood defensive alignment and took full advantage to force his way through it and over for an unconverted try. Kearsney’s lead rose to 18-10.
In the 44th minute Glenwood wing Sparks Ngcobo scored a superb counter-attacking try. The move started inside Glenwood’s 22-metre area and saw Mzwandile Mazibuko, Matthew Harmsworth and Nkululeko Mcuma using good awareness and passing skills to ensure that the pacy left wing received the ball with clear air in front of him. With work still to be done, Ngcobo accelerated away from the last defender for a long run in. Gerhard converted the try to bring it back to just 18-17 in Kearsney’s favour.
What was to follow was the first of two crucial kickoff receiving errors by Glenwood. This first one cost them 3-points when Kearsney recovered the ball and later won a side-entry penalty, which Tedder slotted, making it 21-17.
If one had to find fault in Kearsney’s performance, it was the easy with which they allowed Glenwood to conversion opportunities into points. A venture into the home team’s redzone was handsomely rewarded in the 49th minute when Glenwood spread a recycled ball wide and found hooker Kieran van Vuuren out on the right wing. He carried it in for an unconverted try. Glenwood now led the exciting game for the first time at 22-21.
Kearsney responded with a handful of attacks but it was Glenwood’s ability to turnover the ball at key moments that had final say on each of these occasions with one, a rip by Vermaak after Lines had come close to the goal line, almost resulting in a try for Glenwood at the other end; this after flyhalf Jaques Dumas had the presence of mind to see an opportunity and run the ball from behind his own tryline.
In the 63rd minute Vermaak lined up a 50-metre penalty. It did not have the legs but Kearsney made a hash of securing the ball, allowing centre Akhona Nela to regain possession and force his way over the try-line. He was however held up. From the resulting 5-metre scrum, Kearsney broke early and Glenwood opted to take the easy points on offer. Gerhard succeeded with the penalty extending the lead to 25-21 with just 4-minutes left on the clock.
Tedder’s high hanging restart then rebounded forward off the chest of the lifted Glenwood player. Meaker collected the loose ball and stormed forward catching his opponents unawares with a run that got him deep into opposition territory. From here Glenwood were on the backfoot and struggling to regroup. Lines had yet another meaningful carry in a move which saw with the ball finally going through a few hands towards the left wing. It was left to Alexander Albertse to do what any good wing should and he finished off in style by dived over in the left-hand corner for the winning try.
The pulsating match ended 2-minutes later at 26-25. It will definitely go down as one of the games of the 2013 season in KwaZulu-Natal. Both teams deserve to be complimented for putting on a wonderful showpiece. The match was extremely competitively, very tense at times but always played in good sportsmanship spirit.
Kearsney:
Tries: M.Moloi, J.Meaker, A.Albertse
Conv: T.Tedder (1)
Pen: T.Tedder (3)
Glenwood:
Tries: K.Tredoux, S.Ngcobo, K.van Vuuren
Conv: K.Gerhard (2)
Pen: K.Gerhard (2)
KEARSNEY: 1. Tijde Visser, 2. Jordan Meaker, 3. Mthokozisi Moloi, 4. Mitch du Toit, 5. Bevan Jackson, 6. Zander Rossouw, 7. Jarred Hayes-Hill, 8. Ayron Schramm, 9. Matt Reece-Edwards (c), 10. Tristan Tedder, 11. Alex Albertse, 12. Tyler Smith, 13. Blair Cremer, 14. Thuthu Ndlovu, 15. Chris Lines
GLENWOOD: 1. Percy Mngadi, 2. Kieran Van Vuuren, 3. Kobus Tredoux, 4. Seth vd Heever, 5. Matthew Harmsworth, 6. Rupert Kay (c), 7. Mzwandile Mazibuko, 8. Jaco Coetzee, 9. Kyle Gerhard, 10. Jaques Dumas, 11. Sphamandla Ngcobo, 12. Akhona Nela, 13. Nkululeko Mcuma, 14. Corne Vermaak, 15. Morné Joubert
@Grasshopper: It was a great game of 2nd team rugby
It will be good to have both sides there to support each other as it can be a very difficult place to play with all the local support.
@Grasshopper: What kind of cellphone/PC set up do you have? I notice you never use the “reply” icon in the bottom right corner
@Buffel, agreed! Glenwood 2nd’s will be at Monnas too, should also be a depleted side due to all the festivals etc but that is why the Porties tourno was good to give those boys some early season game time. The Kearsney game was also good prep with the 2nd’s being relatively close…good luck to both teams there…
I have been reading all the guys comments about who should play 10 at Craven week and all the 10’s mentioned would not let any CW side down but it is very early in the season and things can happen. Form,injury and of course combinations that the selectors may concider.
Each boy mentioned has thier strengths and weaknesses and a different style of play. Tedder has an all round game,defence is great and his vision/reading of the game is excellent. Webster is a more in your face 10 stemming from his years playing in the pack and takes the ball up very well. One must remember that playing behind a losing pack is very different to being behind a pack going forward.
There is also Jonas , Koekemoer and others that will put thier hands up.
There is still a lot of rugby to be played between now and the trials so let the boys express themselves and may the best one be selected come July.
On the other hand, good luck to the Kearsney 2nd xv going to Monument after easter. It will be a depleted side as a Kearsney 1st squad of 25 will be touring Namibia but they will still put up a good showing . There is depth this year and am confident that that they will return victorious.
Good luck to all boys playing rugby over this holiday period and all come through unscathed.
@beet: I agree with your sentiments , however , the boys with the respective coaches open themselves to debate and comparison the moment that they “contract” or move school for reasons such as Marne last year
I agree you might consider it when this is not the case, but as you say its such a fine line, as is debated along the sidelines at every game, I think when boys play at this level they understand that there will be criticism , not just for adults but from the pupil body just as much even more , it’s a material part of the system. The school boys in the crowd , sit and listen to them , they will tell you what a player is doing wrong what is generally thought of the players in a team and this isn’t limited to just 1st team ,
It is amazing what I have learnt from listening to these boys , they are astute and have good reasoning and sense when it comes to players and selection , far more then we adults wish to admit sometimes. I have been watching an u16 game before and I think it was at Grey in 2009 and the boys made comment on players and I actually sat with some intent and listening and reviewed what they said while the game was going on and they were right , imho about a player playing two teams above another player , I have made mention that the boys themselves are more conversant with the game its rules then most of us might think we are
But this is off the subject of your topic and getting back to that , criticism always happens , and especially to boys that contract and in my book criticism should be open on them
@beet: I think it is time to recognise then, based on what you have shown here, that CW isn’t a true reflection of players and ability then , it it has some many predeterminations etc etc , how possible can players who strive to be the best and aren’t selected because of this , when will this rubbish be removed, pity because we lose players because of it , looks at the English Cricket team, looks at the Boys coming out in the UK rugby teams , not to mention those now appearing in Australasian sides and how we bitch when the SA sides get beaten, but when we really consider it , they are beaten by sides made up of a good proportion fo SA players or born SA boys and this will progressively get worse over the next few years if this carries on , even if it had to stop now there would be a 10 year turn around in the make up of external teams consisting of SA players in all sports codes
@Grasshopper: yip i have copy of that , wish they wouldhave an updated version
@GreenBlooded: shame on you you are always picking on the little guy, leave Northwood alone , they are just little
@Amalekite:
He was selected for KZN Round 2 as a hooker, was moved from there so its obvious they wanted to fit him in one way or the other and flank turned out to be a moment of brilliance.
Agree on his talent though, think DHS U16 missed him sorely last year
Having said that, Tedder is also a great no. 10 who has gained in confidence from his first game in 2012.
It is nice to have headaches when it comes to selecting for CW. This shows that there is a lot of talent and depth which is necessary in rugby.
Webster is a rare talent. He can play in any position except for lock, due to his lack of height only. I’ve seen him play prop, hooker, flank and in the backline.
He can do it all: tackle, pass, good turn of speed, kick for posts as well as tactical.
Talent like this does not come around very often.
He does prefer to play at 10 though.
At trials last year, the selectors were the ones who decided to put him on the flank. Perhaps they had already pencilled Jonas in at 10 ? They then did not want to exclude a player of his calibre IMO.
He stood out at Grant Khomo and deserved his selection for the SA U16 training squad.
Out of all the 10’s I’ve seen playing against NW so far, Webster was the one that always made you think something was going to happen when he touched the ball. His ability to read the game and rattle the opposition can make an average team seem almost good!
I’m also a big fan of praising kids for their achievements on the field. I welcome all comments about how well players fare.
BUT
when it comes to talking about kids in a negative way, although the constructive criticism thing has it’s merits when used correctly, it has to be approached with caution and a level head, otherwise rather avoid commenting.
Less than 10% of KZN boys from Tier-1 schools get to play 1st XV rugby. These boys are the best at their respective schools. They are doing a lot right rugbywise to earn their places in the teams.
Personally I think it’s fine to have an opinion on who should be in the Craven Week team and on who your favourites are but I don’t agree with the argument that one player is better than another based on Craven Week selection for various reasons:
1. The selectors overlooks good players all the time. There are countless examples of successful senior players who were good at school but never made it to CW.
2. The selection process is subject to predefined conditions e.g. A team has to have 9 players of colour in the 22 and at any time during a game 5 of those players has to on the field.
In many instances, the best player in a position does get picked to go to Craven Week but it is not always the case.
When I did the analysis of the Currie Cup teams last year it seemed like less than half the guys went to CW.
@oldschool:
I clearly rememeber Tedder shifting with Khubeka when they played DHS because van zyl was just destroying him. Sometimes he’d chill at the back with the fullback defending at 12 and Khubeka at 10.
But then again, its still early season and you’ve seen Tedder play more than I have as much as I’ve seen Webster more. I will leave this to the selectors. I do rate Colleges Koekemoer more than I do Tedder though, just my view
@GreenBlooded: I think young Tedder might be in with a shout if Kearsney start to play George Campbell. At a push – if they play at Northwood.
@star: Westville is at least 15km from the air-con at Kings Park. Bru – thats like a Cape to Cairo epic for us …
What date is it – check the Sharks calendar. If there is a game at Kings Park – complete with the Cholesterol Surprise “snack islands” in the Executive Suite – then you have no price at all.
Greenblooded will be at KERF – he can tell us how many times the okes pitch up, and whether they get to the front so that they can see over the heads of the Bulls scouts.
One day I am going to bump into the selecters and they are going to moer me so hard the photo will fall out of my ID book ….
@star: It does but you miss the point. Westville is too far out of Durban…..
@oldschool: …..to say nothing of the fact that he was a wet behind the ears U16 lighty at the time. He is superb. He needs to make a committment though to one of his many sporting codes that he excels in. If memory serves he was not available for Grant Khomo last year due to a cricket or hockey tour??
@ GT- Does the Westville v Kearsney game not qualify as a big match( actually a Classic Clash
) I remember Tedder knocking the MHS 8 out of his stride( although the action was deemed a bit premature). It was said he was too young and light. Well you will always get older and can also put on weight(in our case a sure bet 
) but heart is one thing you can not buy. He seems to have it in bucket loads.
@oldschool: I am with Old School. I was quite sceptical about a Gr10 lightie in such a pivotal {snigger} position till I saw him play. Didn’t see any weaknesses and he had someone like Jesse Kriel running into his channel.
Selection in KZN is not an impartial thing – anybody that thinks that the best player automatically gets picked is schnarfing in the herb garden a bit too much – so whether he gets the nod is only 75% his play, the rest is politics and whether the selectors have scheduled a foot massage and pedicure for the morning of the out-of-town matches. With none of Kearsney’s big matches scheduled in Durban, he is the tree in the forest.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: ha ha , you say that when the going gets tough , young Tedder needs to be protected …….you are very mistaken my boet , this kid not only tackles every thing in his channel , he cuts the ball carrier down , gets up steals the ball and plays on …..he destroyed everything that Affies threw at him last year at KERF and repeatedly is a deadly defender in every game he plays …..i am yet to see the lad miss a tackle……so when you say he needs to be protected when the going gets tough ……i say he would be most rugby mans first choice 10 when going into battle cos when the going gets tough as you say he is the warrior that i would want defending that channel !!
Just found a copy of derby day in a local book store, last copy! Glad a got it, awesome read about all the different schools history and traditions. We have a great number of brilliant schools, we need to be proud of them all. From the oldest to the newest, just brilliant…
I have uploaded photos of 1st, 2nd, U16A, U16B photos (U14A an 7th team to follow)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cyndi-At-Rugby-Etc-Photography/117174961697710
I took in the region of about 600 per game, so if you want a blow by blow visual, let me know cyndi.rugby.photography@gmail.com
https://mobile.twitter.com/DHS_Sport/status/313687851244077057/photo/1
Nice pic
Oh, ok then.
@kcob:
But Kurt got selected as a flank for SA U16!!?? A position which we all felt he was best at last year when we spoke about him settling down to a position.
Also, those no.10s mightve been better last year but Kurt has certainly caught up to them.
Put those other boys behind a losing pack and some aren’t as effective like the Glenwood flyhalf whom was non-existent when they played DHS.
Again,Tedder is good but he isn’t a front-runner for me if you are going to have to protect him everytime the going gets tough
Ah, my point exactly! Westville Flyhalf, Glenwood Flyhalf, Kearsney Flyhalf (had he been available). These guys I believe we’re better. Even the college Flyhalf. I am talking merits here, merits!
@kcob:
But then you’re being quite ignorant there. Why would you believe that. Do you not trust the judgement of many others who thought Webster deserved the place in the squad??
Please man,don’t try and take something away from the boy with a rather stupid comment! It was fully deserved!
How can you say”Also, on what merits was Webster slotted into the HP squad, that was a weird one.” What are you insinuating here!! Name one other player whom deserved it more
Horsefly: sulking, are u on drugs!? We’re did you read that using the word “sulking” necessary? You would be insinuating that I believe Tedder should have been selected. Not the case; I just believe someone other than Webster should have. You’re an idiot to try converse with.
@All Black:
Probably but I do think he has what it takes. Van Zyl himself isn’t out of the equation. He played very well last year specially in some of the big games
Good point AllBlack. A good flyhalf needs to show composure behind a winning and a losing pack. Tedder probably has not been tested as much then. Perhaps the bigger tests come against Paarl, Boland, Framesby and perhaps Westville or Michaelhouse? Yeah, the need to be able to play tactically under different types of pressure, to be worth their weight. I think The Flyhalf spot is going to be hotly contested this year. Not seen enough. Later in the season the good ones may start putting this hands up. Keen to see Stapleberg from Framsby, aparantly a class act.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Yep. If I want to choose a player then I want to see him behind a losing pack and with a winning pack. I would think Webster is going to have to improvise this year against the bigger teams. If he comes through that he will be all the better for it.We tend to get a bit drilled up front at Craven Week.
What a laugh!
@All Black:
I think that’s why we get some Boks coming from unknown schools and also never being heard of at school level. They just were never in the right team and never had the right coach. When they leave school they find right coaching and sometimes make it
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Lol. I know. long way to go though. Lots of talent around. I saw a 10 on Saturday from Linpark, I think. Great player with pace and vision. Imagine if a kid like that had got some coaching? Webster is a talent, no doubt.
@All Black:
Never too early hey, selectors themselves must already be looking at the talent
@kcob:
That is so biased. Webster has only been playing the position for a year and he’s played so well. He too seldom misses a kick and is also devastating on attack. His tackling is superb and the amount he misses you can count on one hand,
How is he being selected for SA U16 a weird one??!! It was CLEARLY broadcasted that he was one of the best if not the best and most consistent at Grant Khomo. Please man stop sulking!
Eish. Season hasnt started and we talking selections?
Tedder is well balanced; captained CW u12,u13 and has great vision. He seldom misses a tackle and was good last year. Be interesting to see him play with more confidence this year, now played last year as a 15/16 year old. Webster is not as reliable, but having said that, quote me as having pointed out last year the bloke needed to settle down into a single position. If Tedder kicks like he did towards the end of last year (about 22 from 23 kicks) he should be in the running. There are plenty of young KZN fly-halves so I think the competition will be fierce this year for that spot. Also, on what merits was Webster slotted into the HP squad, that was a weird one.
Great to see Anton Bresler at DHS helping the 1st side out. Hope they take as much info from him as possible and have a great time!
@Sir Pius:
That’s a bold statement for flyhalf especially since Kurt Webster is playing so well in the position right now. I would say he’s the most gifted of the 3 and is awesome at flyhalf even though he only started there last year
@Grasshopper: The “buying” of any school players should be banned. At the Bulls the “win at all costs” is busy killing the game. In Pretoria we read of: (1)bought players unruly in schools, teachers not able to control them. (2) Criminal cases of school coaches feeding kids steriods. (3) Captian of Tuks admitted taking steriods to become “bigger” to regain his Bulls contract lost. (4) Tuks ignoring Varsity Cup rules. Students cal them the Bulls Varsity Cup Team. (5) Schools declining placement of players by the Bulls and the list go on and on and on. I say in primary and high school the boys must go to school in a say 30km radius of his home. after school a union must not be allowed to contract more than two players per position. Think of it now a lot of more schools will be competitive and more youngster will play club rugby. Overall a more healthier rugby society.
@sharkie: Thanks for that – it’s good that people notice things like that.
My opinion for what it is worth – the covered stands on Stott field should be for supporters of the 2 schools. It is decpetively small yet half of it is reserved from school boys who should be across on the bleachers. This is cerainly the case at other schools. You need to get to Stott very early to find a place – hence the reason I will be getting to KERF at 7am eacch morning!!
@oldschool: That is probably the best compliment you could give – thank you. But it is not something new. Glenwood boys have always been known for their appearance, manners and hospitality to vistors who come to Glenwood. It was certainly like that while I was at school and has been so ever since I started going back as a supporter about 5 years ago.
Old school i must agree with you the greeting by the glenwood boys on saturday was very noticeable and was really pleaseing to say the least. well manered boys being bred at glenwood. I must also add that the contingency of glenwood boys that stayed for the first team game actually outsang the kearsney boys to. KEARSNEY SINGING ON THE STANDS HAS GOT WORSE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND WAS NOTICED BY MANY OLDBOYS BEHIND THE POLES IN DISCUSSION AFTER THE GAME.
@Sharkie, yes the last 2 years it has been Kearsney bu a point or so and won in the last minute. The 3 years before that were in reverse so one can say the schools have been pretty evenly matched at 1st team level over the past 5 years. Over the history of the schools Glenwood are quite far ahead in wins. It’s great to be able to claim the 1st team have stayed since grade 8, but who would leave if you on a bursary. Kearsney, to their credit, dish out bursaries at grade 8 level getting the best on offer and then keep the players. Gov schools can’t compete on that front, althought the number of bursaries that are available has increased, so they have to bolster their sides over the years. Personally I think it’s fine to boost sides up to grade 10 and then stop. Anyway, congrats again the Kearsney on the day. The teams were obviously very closely matched and should do along with Westville., KZN proud at KERF.
having watched the u16As , 2nds and 1sts …i was really impressed with the manner in which the games were played …..hard but clean ….the Kearsney teams really stepped up to keep some very good glenwood teams to low scoring games ……the games were played in very good spirits and were fast with great commitment ….probably the best SBR i have seen in a long time….
Also must commend Glenwood on the way the boys remained in the stands as a show of respect ….no one left untill the KC stands had emptied !!
I will go as far to say that the glenwood boys are by far the best mannered lads that i have come across …i was greeted half the time as oom and the other half as sir !! but i reckon 90 % of lads i walked past greeted me ….including being greeted by theK C lads…i feel that Glenwood is definetly leading the other GOVT schools in respect , fair play and manners ….and my hat goes off to the leadership of Glenwood for producing some fine young men !!!
@Sir Pius: Another Westvillian who opted for the Bothas HIll encounter over the Westville-Hilton game. You are correct – doesn’t get better than that although that will be questioned in just a few days on the same field. I think the KERF is going to be a cracker. Jona’s is exciting but he needs to get the injury woes sorted out. Hope nothing happens to the Glenwood 10 in the next 5 matches / 12 days cos we will be down to 3rd choice.
I will say it again, that was schoolboy rugby at it best. Chris Lines a definite man of the match. I think that Morne Joubert will play ahead of him at Craven Week though. What was good about Saturday’s game is the fact that it proved that there’s a lot of potential in KZN. It should be interesting to see who starts at flyhalf between Jonas and Tedder.
Having watched McHardy and Wright over the past 4 years, what stands out is McHardy’s work rate. He never just does the basics, he will always give you 40% more, the cover tackle or taking on big forwards around the fringes, that for me, with his general high standard of play make him a stand out. Yes Wright has a quality pass and good all round game…………but go to war….my first soldier is McHardy.
@beet @star look forward to watching McHardy and Reece-Edwards at KERF.
@beet: Right now the Liverpool Premier League side would be lucky to win the Reserve league…
Kearsney didn’t make the rules. The general public did. 1st team matters most and its like that in many other sports. No one cares if the Liverpool’s Bs win the reserves league or if the Arsenal ladies team is the best in Britain. All they see is 2 1st teams that cannot win trophies.
A couple of years back WP did a cleansweep of all school through to junior trophies on offer in SA interprovincial compo barring one, however with their senior not having won a trophy in years back then, it mattered little to most rugby followers. No one was saying they were the best rugby province in SA at the time based on their overall results.
For me personally McHardy is the player for others to displace. I’m also keen to see how Booysen of College does in his best possie of 9 (he played 10 last year). Reece-Edwards is in with a shot, there is also a good 9 called Bakkies at Porties but I’m not sure if he is still u18. The selectors like to pick at least one CD player for Craven Week. Maybe they will find a quality halfback for one of those schools at trials. I’d also like to look at the MHS #9.
@ The Goose- there was very little to choose between Wright and McHardy on Saturday. In fact several Hilton parents commented that Westville had not lost much with Cameron going to Hilton . Reece is type of player you would want to go into battle with. Committed on defence and his box kicks were on the money. He is also good around the fringes and in fact would have scored had it not be for a double movement. That was after he had run over 2 Hilton defenders. He is deceptively strong with an awesome hand off. The match-up on the 11 May will be massive and could go a long way to sealing the deal so to speak.
HORSEFLY NO 1 Unfortunately it all hinges on the 1ST XV which for two years now has the gone the way of Kearsney. Glenwood are a good rugby school no one can deny but honours must go to Kearsney on the day. Also consider that Kearsneys team was made up of 15 players that started at the college in grade 8…
@beet – I’d be interested to hear your thoughts about the scrummie matchups that KZN schools are going to dish out this year. Wright is too old to play Craven Week – it seems that Reece McHardy from Westville and Matt Reece-Edwards from KC are top class. Are there any others?
And between McHardy and MRE, what is the consensus on who the better player is?
The importance of a 1st team rugby game is so massive! Glenwood were the better rugby school on the day winning the majority of the matches yet Kearsney won the showpiece match and are getting all the attention.
Well done KC but also a very well done to GW especially the A teams where Kearsney are really strong
Saturdays win by Kearsney shows that rugby is a team effort. Yes we all agree that the doops are brilliant and could walk into any school boy team but maybe not having them on saturday was extra motivation for the other 15 boys who took the park. The game as a whole was a real show piece for school boy rugby, hard, clean and exciting. You will go far to find another game this year that had as much to offer as saturdays game. Well done to Glenwood and Kearsney supporters and teams for a great afternoon and day of rugby
For Glenwood it is not onto 5 tough games in 12 days starting on Thursday.
Thu 21 Garsfontein
Sat 23 HTS Drostyd
Thu 28 Paul Roos
Sat 30 Selbourne
Mon 1 Paarl Gym
Boy’s are going to be knackered after all that. Crazy.
@deecee: They are injured although one of them played off the bench for the 2nds.
Interesting that Kearsney were able to win this one without the Du Preez twins. why are they not playing at the moment??
KC have for R10.00 doubt we’d release to a team not yet played.
@ beet , thanking you for this detailed report, as you know there are a few games this season that I will be missing , but with this type of reporting it will be good, I wish you could video them and send me the games , lol, I am very willing to send you a video camera and sd cards? Lol
even if we get them posted on to you tube , but I am sure that there are parents and or supporters out there capturing these games , I know GW video them I just don’t know why they don’t make them available , even at cost to parents
but yes to review the game, GW have always been dismal in Lineouts , more the thrown in than any other aspect , the other would be the tackling , have said it for years , another issue has always been the hands in the back line , it has been particularly bad over the last two years and I see it is still residual this year, I believe the boys need to get in the pool and play waterpolo , it certainly assists , polo players generally seem to have better passing and catching ability and accuracy
I think it’s going to be a particularly good season amongst the schools, have had reports and reading here it’s going to be a lot closer and the tight games, such as this weekend, will be very defining