After tripping over the Port Natal hurdle a few days earlier, DHS made the perfect recovery and cleared the potentially tricky George Campbell obstacle with easy during a home midweek night game on Van Heerden’s field. DHS won this first match against Campbell in a number of years, 48-0 in the end.
It was a pity the adverse weather kept spectators away because DHS played some vintage rugby. The DHS forwards put in the hard work. Scrums, lineouts, rucks and big ballcarrying were all meaningful contributors to the success. The pack produced top quality front-foot ball and for their backs who did not let them down either. Beautiful handling at pace and trying to use the full width of the pitch were part of the entertaining show put on by the backline.
DHS left wing Sandile Biyela was particularly busy in the first half and scored the first try following a turnover inside the George Campbell 22m area.
In the 8th minute this lead was extended when Campbell decided to run a ball from a scrum inside their own redzone. A poor pass resulted in a turnover and what looked like a try to impressive young centre Dillon Bryan who formed an outstanding partnership with battering ram outside centre Blessing Buthelezi. Le Roux van Zyl landed the conversion to advance the score to 12-0.
DHS then missed out on two more try-scoring opportunities before Buthelezi bulldozed his way over for his team’s third try after sustained pressure near the Campbell tryline, making it 17-0 after only 22 minutes.
11 minutes late DHS used a split formation behind their own scrum feed in the middle of the ground. The ball was worked right to the exciting Peter Mabuthana and as usual the fullback did not disappoint when given room to move in. He scored the type of spectacular try that only plays possessing his pace and stepping skills are capable pulling off. The kick was good and at halftime 24-0 meant that DHS also had half their points for the night.
Blessing Buthelezi came up with another power run and swandive to cap another try early in the second half, increasing the lead to 29-0. The centre’s reputation was clearly counting in his favour as no Campbell defender looked too interesting in attempting to stop him.
In the 48th minute DHS captain and scrumhalf Ngidi who is a tidy little player that stands a good chance of featuring in the KZN under-18 Youth Week plans scored a try from close range after a good build up that involved a nice run by Peter once again. With the conversion, the score rose to 36-0.
The rain did not affect the DHS effort. They kept on applying pressure and when Van Zyl pushed a low diagonal kick in behind the advancing Campbell defence, replacement Nhlanganipo pounced on the favourable bounce and applied downward pressure in the right-hand corner, making it 41-0.
Late in the game Van Zyl barged his way over in the left corner and Bryan slotted the kick from the most difficult angle of all and into the wind to finish off matters at 48-0. It was a fine effort by DHS.
For poor Campbell it just was not their night. They seemed to be present in body but not mind for this match. Having to play into the strong wind in the first half also disrupted their game plan with them struggling to get out of their own half. Their play was patchy and lacked the cohesion needed to trouble the DHS defence which not only dealt with the Campbell threats comfortably but also used it to turn defence into attack by stopping Campbell behind the advantage line on a number of occasions. This season the George Campbell team have already shown that they have talent and dedication needed to produce good results. The real barrier on occasions like this game seems to be in their minds rather than their physical attributes or ability to play as a team.
Amongst the positives at DHS on the evening was witnessing boys greeting adults pleasantly and invaluable help received from a very proud “School” student Dylan Bothma.
Preview written before the match:
Kickoff at DHS is scheduled for 17h20 on Wednesday 19 March.
This is the first game between DHS and George Campbell in a number of years. The reason for the match being added back to the schedule comes across as a case of forgive because all has been forgotten. When asking insiders for reasons why DHS and George Campbell haven’t been playing each other, no one quite seems to remember the exact reason or for that matter any reason why at all. It could well be a case of not worth mentioning or please don’t go there. The bottom-line is that many sort after games between two closely matched schools were missing off the KZN fixture list, so it’s great that this game is back on.
DHS will be looking to bounce back from a defeat at the hands of high flying Port Natal who squeezed home 12-10 on Saturday. Port Natal who also beat Campbell 18-13 the weekend before that seemed to have up their game in key areas that cost them a place in their Night Series final a month ago when DHS beat them 3-17. DHS on the other hand look as if they have slipped backwards since that Night Series, where they made good progress with every match which included a narrow defeat 3-10 to Glenwood (Invitation XV) in the Night Series.They will be desperate to recapture some of that attacking magic they showed at times at the Night Series when they got their passing game firing.
Since going down to Porties, George Campbell has won their last two games without conceding a single point. However their opponents Pinetown (19-0) and Hillcrest (40-0) are nowhere near the quality DHS has to offer on attack and defence. For Campbell if they want to taste victory tonight, they have to be decisive on attack. The DHS defence are bound to come at them hard and fast, fighting aggressively for ball on the deck, so Campbell cannot afford to be rattled.
Expect an interesting game with DHS favourites to win it.
@Scrum Doctor: it was not a full strength team. but thats no excuse well done to school
Was it a full strength GC team? – if so this is a good result for DHS . Maybe we all need to look at Porties again after their victory over DHS
@Gungets Tuft: Agreed, once they can put out at least 4 teams per age group they going to struggle. 2016 is approaching rapidly and the Old Boys won’t accept a weak season that year…
@Greenwood: Hope those are not famous last words. College will not be taking DHS lightly, make no mistake about that.
What DHS need is depth, okes have already said that. It might well be a case of them being the schoolboy equivalent of the Griqua’s. At the start of the Currie Cup season they knock over fancied teams (Sharks on two occasions recently) but fade in the second half of the season due to depth. If Horsie is correct and they are struggling for B sides, that’s a pretty ominous sign for the top teams.
Horsie
At The Porties nite series I got the impression that School has a well drilled pack and would pose a threat to all – this is the beginning of a new era for school, also picked up on a new vibe from the boys – the flies are back !! but at this time can’t see them competing against Westville Gwd & College.
but KC & NW must beware
Well done DHS, signs of recovery :-)
@Gungets Tuft:
haha was just an honest question since I wasnt there but yea, I am hard to please
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Limiting the score .. hahhahha.
Boet, you are hard to please. less than 24 hours ago if I had offered you a 24-0 win you would have bitten my hand off. That’s a good score, great confidence booster.
I repeat what I said elsewhere, it’s going to be an even year all round, when a team pitches up on the day anything could happen. Since the close score Northwood vs KC, now this big result against GC, no school is going to arrive thinking it will be a stroll.
@beet:
Thats fantastic to hear. I think that on their day, this DHS side could make any KZN team sweat really hard. They just need consistency, all we can ask for as supporters is seeing them try their very best game in game out.
Did the weather work in GC’s favour in terms of limiting the score in your opinion?
@HORSEFLY NO.1: That is the confirmed result. Pity about the poor weather which I’m sure kept many away. DHS were on fire. They have a few really good players but the centre pairing of Dillon Bryan and Blessing Buthelezi really stood out tonight.
DHS beat GC. Unconfirmed score is 48-0. Good bounce back for school.
@Greenwood
Haha not particularly..lol.. but go on the ill be a sport :-)
Rhino
I had my Video camera with me but because of the intensity of the game i
watched most of the game real time
I did manage to get catch Glenwoods’ Morne Jouberts try in the corner but you don’t really want to see that do you ?
@Greenwood
Anyone have a video of the game and the war cry etc too ? Must have been good which makes me proud!
Star – the visitors were astounded by the turnout – the one bloke from Canada who played American Football could not believe the crowds at the match – they were also very impressed with ‘villes warcry (so was I) this was something new to them Most of the UN did not pitch because the heat – a pity ….
They could not believe the pace the game was played at by both sides
We look forward to hosting you guys next year – guarantee the Woods
war cry will be off the scale !!!!
I fancy Campbell to win
Go Campbell
@ Greenwood- well it is better than having an obsession with the blonde down at the local with the big——– jugs of beer.
Why can’t our women get us?
I hope your extended family had an enjoyable day on Saturday.
I am going to watch this game tonite – The wife says I have an obsession with Gwd Rugby – but she’s wrong – I have a passion for Schoolboy rugby and as long as there is a potential quality game I will be there – DHS- Campbell should be a good one -many a time when Gwd aren’t playing
I watch other games – even been up to Goldstones to watch ‘Ville vs College – my money will be on School ……………
Campbell have found their feet after a slow start and should their forwards give the backline good ball they should beat DHS