Northwood deservedly beat Port Natal 12-3 to claim the Damelin Night Series title for 2013. The win was made possible thanks to some outstanding work by the pack and excellent defence all round.
Port Natal came into the match high on confidence, having won all five of their round-robin stage games; the only team to have achieved this. Although in terms of size they were a smaller team than Northwood, the Porties boys had played with a high degree of skill, commitment and composure throughout the tournament. These attributes were again put to the test in the final and although they were the eventual losers on the night, their tremendous school spirit shone through as they went down fighting to the very last play.
For Northwood, the victory was made possible by a number of factors that allowed them to dominate territory and possession during the game. Their contesting at breakdown made for fantastic viewing. Boys hit the rucks with speed, power and must importantly purpose. Whenever Porties attempted to pick ‘n drive or pop ‘n drive beyond second phase, more often than not it resulted in the hosts losing ground or conceding possession via turnovers, such was the nature of the physical collisions and skills being shown by the Northwood forwards. It was tough enough that Porties’ halfback duo of Hennie Janse van Rensburg and Merlyn Pieterse had to work off backfoot scraps but the two players were also placed under tremendous pressure by Northwood. This coupled with the speed at which the outside defence got up to close down the wider spaces, saw to it that the dangerous Port Natal backline had precious few opportunities to get going. In more open play when something was on out wide for Porties, Northwood often responded with good defensive structure and sound first time tackles to compliment it. However despite all this above mentioned good defensive work by the visitors, they actually delivered the biggest killer blow to Port Natal’s chances in the unlikeliest of areas of play. Based on size and conditioning going into the match Northwood were predicted to win the physical battle in the loose and gain ascendancy in scrums but with three good lineout options, Porties were expected to at a minimum hold their own in the lineout setpiece. This did not happen. Northwood was simply brilliant on defensive lineouts. Here Shane Kennedy delivered a man of the match type performance. What should have been safe Porties ball to the front jumper in the lineout and a platform to attack off, often got turned over by some excellently timed intercepting jumps made mainly by Kennedy.
With so much good work being achieved up front and the possession and territory stakes going their way, questions have to be asked how Northwood only managed to cross the line for two tries. Well some tenatious defending of their own kept Port Natal in the hunt. They may have been forced backwards but they never conceded big chunks of ground at during any phase and often reorganised themselves very rapidly to break up the next attack launched. A memorable 65-metre clean break off the back of a scrum deep within their own area by speedy Northwood No. 8 Gareth Murran stood out as the only occasion when the Port Natal secondary defensive structure failed to respond to a adequately to a breach and even in this impressive move was eventually halted by the cross cover. From a Northwood point of view they need to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to extract more offensive qualities out of their backs, who look one-dimensional and lack an x-factor like they had in Wade Worthington the year before. Thabo Thabese still looks to be the one sharp player that can get them over the advantage line, yet he finds himself out on the wing instead of closer to the action where he could possibly have a greater influence on the game. At the very minimum, more backline cohesion on attack is called for. Although passes went to hand and accuracy could not be faulted, the boys looked to be going through the motions much of the time without bringing the crispness or energy needed to penetrate the Porties defence. It is hard to criticise the Northwood forwards after the effort they put in but perhaps they to need to work more on attack variation.
All the points in the game came during a 5-minute passage in the first half. A well co-ordinated and patient buildup inside the redzone saw Northwood forwards gradually advancing towards the goal-line where Porties appeared to have halted the momentum of the drive but an opportunity opened for the alert Shane Kennedy to pick and dive over from close range as part of his good evening’s work. Sassa Makhanye then landed the difficult conversion using the outside foot to put the visitors 7-0 up after 18 minutes. Straight from the kickoff Porties captain and no.8 Sarel Kruger led by example, putting in a hit that won the ball back for his team. At the ensuing ruck, Northwood infringed and Janse van Rensburg struck a sweet kick to make it 7-3. The next kickoff and this time Porties failed to control the ball. Northwood gathered and worked the ball around but it was ultimately Cameron du Plessis’s mini break that unhinged the defence and laid the platform for the impressive flank from Lithuania Jonas Mikalcius to crash over near the left corner for an unconverted try, making it 12-3. Just before the halftime whistle, Porties had their best try-scoring chance of the match when flyhalf Pieterse who has a Luke McAllister-like gift of being able to put near perfect weighting on his short kicks, quickly responded to the Northwood line rushing up by pushing an accurate kick in behind them for his outside backs to run onto. Unfortunately an obstruction infringement went undetected by the ref which prevented Porties from collecting the bouncing ball with the tryline was at their mercy.
Porties were forced to reshuffle their team in the second half as a series of injuries, one of them fairly serious disrupted their playing patterns. They put in a noble attempt to change the course of the game in the second half but Northwood’s defence stood firm. In the end the right team walked off with the spoils.
Although this tournament is very much a designed to be preseason workout in which the results do not count on any of the ranking systems, it nevertheless has set Northwood on the right path for 2013. Even though there is still a lot of work ahead before the season starts, Northwood are going to be very competitive opponents for the KZN Tier-1 heavyweights this season.
Compliments must go the organisers Port Natal for putting on yet another successful Night Series and thanks to the sponsors Damelin for their generous support of this worthy event.
@star: Cricket should move to Term 3/4. I think we end up with more cricket cancelled than played in the 1st term.
Almost all the cricket matches against College have been rained off. I think when the College boys were doing their march they slipped in a rain dance or two.
New DHS Head of Rugby Dru Nass started today and I wish him a long and happy time at DHS and hopefully he makes a telling difference to our rugby
@Grasshopper:
Yes DHS. Watch the school song and I’m a horsefly clips on DHS Facebook page from the DnD. This year was more special since they had GWD and DHS right next to each other. GWD had the 2nd best war cry IMO. They did steal aabit from the DHS cries
@GreenBlooded:
They are largely helped by the fact that Action Swim Academy is based there though, meaining its more convenient to go there. The club coach I think also helps out at the school
@GreenBlooded: and it stopped raining 15 minutes before the march and did not rain again.
Pretty waterlogged up there though. Any rain tonight will make it dodgy for cricket tomorrow
@GreenBlooded: ’twas a really fine morning. Great walk from the city hall to College, unveiled the statue commissioned for the occasion. Got video of the 1100 boys with a song and war cry in the city hall, then the Old Boys leading school and staff in Jimelojo. Met a jet-lagged new headmaster, looks and sounds like a good man, not intimidated by the occasion. Great day, everyone should feel this way about their school
@HORSEFLY NO.1: This write up on the Glenwood website:
“There is nothing better than seeing a plan come together. After the issues of last week, focus was placed on the core elements of 50m sprinting. Starts, breakouts, stream line and discipline were the order of the day in our sessions this week. And the results are there for all to see.
Patience off the blocks and correct underwater and stroke technique saw our A team swim 26 events without a single disqualification. And it was this that saw the Green Machine swimmers perform at their best to secure a brilliant 2nd place behind Westville.”
Good to see some pin-point coaching going on in areas where there are problems. Makes a world of difference. Glenwood aquatics is going places.
Grasshopper – when we had our 100th there was also a special supplement in the paper
about our Centenary – and if I recall only one school sent congrats to Glenwood in the supplement & that was Hilton – but I only read the morning paper so may be the daily news had more of this
@Beet: Maybe a cheerleading thread for College’s 150th birthday would be appropriate?
This is a very auspicious occassion – congratulations Maritzburg College , a national institution with a very proud history. I was in matric when they celebrated their 125th aniversary and God willing, will be around in 25 years time when they celebrate their 175th. I hope that the rain does not hamper the march through Maritzbrg today and that the celebrations are enjoyed by all.
@Greenwood, maybe the missed the editorial date or something, who knows. Hopefully Glenwood give them a decent present. Do you know what we got from each school for our 100th?
I 2nd your congrats! Very proud to have College in KZN, a school that can hold it’s head up high with the other great schools of SA.
Hopper
was surprised when reading the MC 150th insert in the Mercury this morning that there was no congratulatory note to College from Glenwood – The Flies and Northwood featured though
Anyway , – to our most respected opposition – Maritzburg College – All the best and well done for all that has been achieved by the school and also thanks for the the invite for Glenwood to play sports on Reunion Day
@ Grassy- You are right. My son’s cricket team which usually plays opposite the firsts is being accommodated at Maritzburg Collegians. Obviously MC want as many of their teams playing in PMB as possible. Nice touch and a great honor for Westville.
@Star, I think it’s officially the 2nd of March that College turns 150, but that would be splitting hairs. Congrats College on reaching this amazing milestone! Happy Birthday and here is to another 150 years plus! Jimolayo Ji!
Sorry forgot to add you’re 150 years old today.
Well they would have to have won it as their A team lost to Westville B team
A great tailpiece in the paper where a son does not want to go to school. The mother asks for 2 reasons. The son replies that” the boys hate me and the masters hate me too “The son then asks the mother for 2 reasons why he should go to school. The mother replies” Well for one you’re 52 years old. And for another ,you’re the headmaster of Maritzburg College”. Happy birthday MC.
@horsie, let me guess DHS?
@GreenBlooded:
Have to say that beside the swimming the other battle there(war-cries) was fantastic. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to see who won that one…
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Follow the Westville Swimming Club’s website – it has an un to date ranking in each age group. No doubt something followed very closely by the schools to see where to go shopping.
@GreenBlooded:
Reece was always going to be Westville since his brother is already there . Will be interesting to see where the likes of Poovan,Erwee,Nortje end up? Have you heard anything?
@HORSEFLY NO.1: I see the confusion now: my initial post should have read ‘2 of the top’ and not ‘ the top 2’. Sorry for that. The Highbury boys by and large end up at Kearsney – the 2 schools are joined at the hip so don’t be surprised if this arrangement changes before the year is out.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Yup – the one from the private school in Hillcrest and his schoolmate – not top 5 but definately top 20.
@GreenBlooded:
Nortje and Kincaid?? But yeah Poovan is the best, will definitely be looking out to see which school gets him. Either Clifton, WBHS or DHS from what I’ve heard… I did hear that GWD have received applications from Level 3 swimmers for grade 8 next year so their successes are paying off.
@star:
Why were they not there? DHS also missed some key swimmers including their best swimmer. Their U17 side missed 2 of their best swimmers(coleman and palframan)
@Grasshopper:
1 WBHS A 197
2 GWD A 156
3 Kearsney 149
4 Clifton 144
5 WBHS B 81
6 DHS 78
7 Northwood 75
8 GWD 43
There were a total of 208 points available
I can confirm that Glenwood won the D&D athletics meets 6 times in a row, from 89 to 94. A similar feat to Westville in the pool. It was Pinetown that stopped the sequence in 95 to win. A shame Pinetown has gone backwards since then…
@ Horsy- You will find that in the U14s 3 of Westvilles A team were not there. You would expect the other schools to beat Westville’s B team by that distance. What would have happened if the twins and Schoeman were injured? I am pleased that the U15s won all there races because they have been under a bit of pressure and have shown their class.
Well done Westville, it was inevitable. What were the points differences?
@horsie, interesting stats on the past. Northwood/Northlands always were strong in the pool, mostly surfers and beach boys. Same with DHS. Glenwood’s beach boys were too busy chasing skirt and surfing to care. What would also be interesting is to check D&D athletics winners since then, in the 90’s Glenwood won about 6 or 7 in a row if not mistaken.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Not him – the other two. But you are right – he is the best, won most of the races at the D&D ‘A’ Gala on Monday.
Very interesting stats – shows what I suspected: DHS and Northlands/wood ruled the pool for much of the last 50 years. Westville only recently. Glenwood – not even there but watch this space. The U14 and U15 stats are very telling.
Well done to WBHS for their DnD gala win.
1st- WBHS A
2nd- GWD A
3rd- Kearsney
4th- Clifton
5th- Westville B
6th- DHS A
7th- Northwood
8th- Glenwood B
U14- Glenwood dominated Westville here, badly. Kearsney pushed GWD to the line once or twice
U15- Westville won all with other 2 top 3 places being filled by GWD and DHS.
U16- Westville won most, Kearsney won and I think also Clifton
Open- Westville broke the recordfor ALL of their U19 records.
Just for interests sake these are previous winners since 1970:
DHS- 19 wins
WBHS-8( including 2013)
GWD-2
Northlands-12
Northwood- 2
@GreenBlooded:
Which two are these? Poovan and?
They have to though, their U14 was totally dominated today by Glenwood and sometimes Kearsney. The distance between GWD and WBHS was sometimes so alarmingly big, maybe 3 to 4 bodylengths.
@GreenBlooded & Grasshopper, I agree that it would be better for all schools to follow same principles, audits etc. Admitting mistakes is the best way to get over them. I would have preferred Westville to be open about what they had done. It seems each time there is an issue one school never comes fully clean. With the Westville / Glenwood issue last year Hall issued a statement whilst Kershaw kept quiet. If you were an outsider how would you interpret that?
This type of thing should be included in the Headmasters agreement. It would also be good if this agreement was open to scrutiny. It would clarify a lot.
@Westers: Why was Westville the only school not to submit to independant age verification? If Westville pulled JB out as a precaution, why didn’t they just say so? Why the whole ‘rolled ankle’ BS that lasted for weeks and weeks? Why did JB have 2 birth certificates with birthdates 3 years apart? Isn’t that dodgy in itself?
There were reportedly 8 overage players doing the rounds, only 3 of them, and the 2 schools they attended were named and shamed. Where were/are the other 5?? How much effort went into naming and shaming them? Glenwood and DHS really took one for the team on that issue.
@Westers, that is what was being assumed for years. Never assume. Maybe one should ask them if they have, even then will they ever confirm it or have the evidence. Once into the open scene they could just put him into the Vodacom Cup side if they needed to avoid an age issue…..until it’s checked and verified by an auditor I will not believe anything. Maybe they can even use the Westville appointed auditor…
@Grasshopper, Having been alerted to the issue you would expect the Sharks, and all the other unions, to do age checks on their players.
@Westers, I wouldn’t bet on it…….Tom and Payi played rep rugby for years without getting caught….many others got away it too. The Sharks Academy are too lazy to check that sort of thing out properly…
@Grasshopper, As was pointed out, he is playing age group rugby at the Sharks. I assume they have done the checks on the kid and all is ok. So maybe there wasn’t much to sweep under the carpet.
@Westers, only difference is that Tom and Payi’s sangoma’s spoke about it openly exposing two schools to public scrutiny and ridicule, whilst JB’s was swept under the carpet never to be heard of again and with the average man in the street being totally oblivious….
@Grasshopper, Same sangoma that made Tom disappear made JB’s injury disappear.
@Grasshopper, Maybe the sandwiches are for the BE boys.
I don’t think the Westville BE has got any further. I think they have only a couple of houses and about 50 boys at the most – but I don’t have the facts. It will be difficult to buy more mansions around the school as it is a very affluent area and the prices are exorbitant.
@Grasshopper: If you look at what all these govt boys schools are charging versus the girls schools, there is, in most cases, quite a difference. IMHO this is where they find the money to pay for the scholarships that they offer.
If I am correct, then it is a case of the average pupils paying for the scholarships.
The question is how the schools spend this money. Some of them spread them across various activities, others concentrate more on certain areas, such as swimming or rugby or whatever.
At the end of the day, it boils down to management and marketing strategies. Back in the day, the more established scools could rely on their reputation etc. Those days are gone. They need to work at it full time now. It has become a business.
We are fortunate to still have many excellent govt schools in our province and our country. Sadly , there are a few that have one backwards over the past decade or two.
@All Black, he must have gone to the Sangoma before his last game, because that was miraculous healing…
@Westers, how is the development of the Westville BE coming on? For years there has been speculation of Westville buying about 5 houses in the area and building a big BE, anything materialised? Yes, BE fees are probably far cheaper than having the boys at home eating them out of house and home…
@Grasshopper. There are a lot of parents paying boarding fees at Glenwood. They must be the affluent ones. Far less at Westville.
@All Black, It must have been serious. He still had it strapped when he played the last game. Or maybe that was from the bone marrow test.
@NW_Night, ‘traditional’ feeder schools. There maybe a handful of kids from those other areas also due to a big Boarding Establishment. Of the 1300 boys at Glenwood 80% of them come from those traditional feeder areas. The BE is key. Can you tell me what Northwood’s feeder schools are? Kids from other countries?
@Grasshopper: Add Durban North, Umhlanga, La Lucia, Ballito, Kloof, Hillcrest and Pretoria to your feeder school area
@Amalekite, yes the gov schools fees are all pretty similar but that does not mean the families incomes are the same. Glenwood’s average family probably has a lot less disposable income than Westville’s hence no money left to pay for extra lessons, the best equipment etc. Glenwood’s main feeder areas are the Bluff, Glenwood, Chatsworth, Toti, Umbilo, Glenwood, Queensburgh etc, not exactly the wealthiest areas in Durban. I am an ex Bluff boy, I know. Moving to Westville when I was 15 was an eye opener. Jan Hofmeyer drive was like driving through Hollywood for me back then. Anyway, point made…..
@Grasshopper: The ” poor ” Glenwood pupils pay R2000 less per annum than their Westville counterparts. That is a difference of about R165 per month. What is the big deal ? Forget about the nighbourhoods as quite a few kids commute from wherever they live to go to the school of their choice. We are talking about the schools on this forum.
@Westers: Do the bone marrow test and then everyone can rest on that case. Must have been a serious ankle injury though.
@Star and Amalekite, come on guys, Westville is an affluent school, don’t try and avoid that. It might have a few less affluent families but those kids are on bursaries. You can’t pull the wool over my eyes, I actually lived in Westville and my parents live there too, we are above average earners. It’s the 2nd or 3rd most affluent area in Durban. Those 2nd hand jerseys are probably for practices. With regards to Westville claiming the schools goes much further back, I’m sure every school can claim that too. When a teacher sat under a tree in what is now ZK Matthews Rd when Henry Francis Fynn and Lt FG Farewell founded Durban in 1824, maybe that was the start of Glenwood High. The fact is Westville Boys High was officially established in 1955 only 58 years ago. I hear Glenwood too has a sub 10.60 sprinter and also a sub 22sec 200m runner…
@star: And now I see that our ” affluent and aloof ” school has opened a shop that sells second hand rugby jerseys at R20 and even sells second hand rugby socks.
@ Greenblooded- We have to try and keep the swimming TRADITIONS going
You will actually find that the roots go back to the original German settlers in the 1850s.
He played U15B rugby last year and maybe they will try and protect him as he is a SA rep. You should have seen the Kearsney U15B boys trying in vain to stop him.
@ Grassy- Does The fact that my old lady was in the Westville school in 1945 count towards my son being 3rd generation. We have to start somewhere
@ Amalekite- always give additional tuck and have given a lot of old and new sporting gear.Westville’s U16 sprint champion has just run 10.60 in some very nice shoes.
@Greenwood: Sorry to burst your bubble, but I have packed my fair share of sandwiches for disadvantged pupils at Westville Boys’ High over the years. The other day, I delivered some second rugby boots for them too, and the receptionist was very grateful.
All is not as it seems…..
@Gungets, I am aware of that. My point was old but not well known due to it’s size. Plenty of old small schools around…
@Grasshopper: “St Charles is pretty old” .. hahha .. College first played them at rugby in 1882, 28 years before DHS and 39 years before Glenwood. Founded 1875, 138 years old this year. Proud school, plenty of tradition. Bit more wonga floating around though …
@Grasshopper: Whahhahahaha. Yeah – we could get a whole lot of Aquanauts from the Cape Schools to get a PO Box number at a Durban post office and we are sorted!!!
@Greenblooded, Westville got a wake up call this year so made sure they sorted the best 2 for next year. Who knows what they offered. Glenwood just need to have a look in other provinces and countries like other schools and then claim they came from a non traditional swimming country eg Hungary or Croatia
@Greenwood & Greenblooded, spot on guys! You put my point across better.
@star: Heard last night that Westville have secured the services of the 2 top U13 swimmers in KZN for 2014.
@Greenwood: That’s what I really love about Glenwood – you are so right. No airs and graces, boys from all backgrounds and walks of life who all become equal when the bottle green blazer goes on. This brotherhood is also what breeds the disdain for those who have the attitude that they are somehow better than the rest. Could this ‘down to earth’ ethos be what makes high profile kids choose Glenwood over more affluent schools?
Tradition – love them all, at all the schools and long may they last. They are going to have to be closely guarded from the ‘liberal parent’ who despite sending their kids to a school with a rich cultural heritage, seek to destroy them once they are in the inside. The most high profile case was a few years back at Durban Girls High where a mom took the nose-stud case all the way to the constitutional court. You can almost hear the mommy with the tounge ring, blue hair and fake boobs saying “why does my little Johnny have to do that – it’s so archaic and stupid”. Arrrrrrgggghhhhh.
As far as “affluent” schools go Glenwood seems to slot in as average – someone pointed out to me that they read on the Glenwood website a general appeal by the school for Mums to “pack an extra sandwich or 2″ for needy classmates – this says a lot willing to bet this appeal would not apply to School , N Wood or Westville – so I see Glenwood as real world ” feet on the ground ” no airs or graces institution that does pretty well – Yup Glenwood does have traditions and a rich history ….
@Cyndi, if you know the team then please post on here.
With regards to traditional boys high schools in KZN, if you asked the average man or woman in the street, what would they say? College, DHS, Michaelhouse, Hilton, Kearsney and Glenwood. St Charles is pretty old but not that well known and Westville/Northwood are newbies. They have just copied the traditions set by the 6 schools above, same war cry, same bell ringing ceremonies, same everything. one could argue that most of the schools copied College and College copied traditional English public schools. So maybe it’s tradition for schools to copy those that are older than them. Anyway, I like the traditions and hope they stay and more good ones are introduced over the years.
@Gungets Tuft: and an oxygen tank
@Grasshopper: hopefully we will hear today
In terms of the traditional schools debate – let me state the obvious here. A traditional school is one that spends time and energy instilling and maintaining certain traditions. Many schools ring the bell in grade 8 and again in grade 12. Some have certain ceremonies done on certain days. I believe even some of the ‘orientation’ activities are formed on tradition. It is also derived from introducing things seen in traditional schools. I know of a Cape school which is about 20 years old, which has worked hard to bring in the wanted behaviours to form these traditions. They may not have the history but they can be classified as being traditional.
Don’t panic won’t start quoting definitions here.
@Gungets, so College are short by 2 days :wink:.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Nope, by then it will be the 153 year club …
@Gungets Tuft:
Haha it should, then DHS would join that club in 3 years time…
@Grasshopper: Northlands Boys, which merged with Beachwood in 1989 to form Northwood, was started in 1949, makes it 64 years old this year, if only they had managed the merger more carefully. Some rich heritage there and some famous Old Boys. The simmering civil war between the Northlands and Beachwood Old Boys has done them no favours.
I reckon the benchmark must be 150 years ..
Off topic, does anyone know the Glenwood squad for Saturday?
@Westers, established in 1955! My dad was born before that, so Westville has been around about 2 generations, Glenwood 4 and College, Hilton, Michaelhouse and DHS about 6. For me to be called a ‘traditional’ school the school needs to be at least 90 years old. So Kearsney could join that group. But again everyone’s definition will be different. In the UK 500 years old would be considered traditional. Anyway, Westville have done very well to go from an average school in the 80’s and 90’s to a very good one now. Money has definitely helped here. Northwood and Westville are new kids on the block that sprung up in Durban’s 2 affluent areas. Westville’s academics are closely linked to the affluence and demographics of surrounding areas. Glenwood and DHS on the other hand have been stifled by the city growing around them and the local feeder area’s become less affluent. In my mind they have and especially Glenwood have done an outstanding job keeping up with these more affluent schools and in some areas surpassing them. If Westville had the same feeder demographic you would see the academic results drop, the families just can’t afford Kip McGrath and extra lessons every day. It really comes down to a difference in class, Glenwood being more blue collar and Westville/Northwood more white collar. Luckily Glenwood has a great mix of class which means the boys learn that not every family is wealthy and that the real world is tough. Glenwood breeds tough, hardy boys who are down to earth. College is of a similar ilk and why College and Glenwood boys usually get on well. Glenwood do have some very wealthy Old Boys who do as much as they can, but we cannot compete with the sheer volume of financial support Westville gets. It’s not a fair playing field, but hey we doing pretty well considering. Anyway, parents will choose what is best for their kids, some choose Westville and others choose somewhere else. I would consider Westville if my kid really wanted to go there, it’s about their happiness in the end…
@CyndiAtRugby: With sort of crowds that attended last year’s Super Rugby at KP, I have no doubt that there will be plenty of room for the whole of Glenwood.
To put more bums on seats, the Sharks should look at getting one or two pros from overseas like Jonny Wilkinson or Brian O Driscoll, once he retires from International rugby. Guys like these are drawcards and the younger players feed off them. I think back to the days of John Plumtree, Thierry Lacroix, Tom Lawton, Chris Butcher, Murray Mexted, Federico Mendez, Olivier Roumat and many others that played for Natal.
Instead, a lot of our players are playing for European clubs and helping raise the standard of their rugby. Think about it. A year or two ago, our Springbok dirt trackers were beaten by an English club. This would have been unthinkable 10 or 15 years ago.
It is the professional era and the South African franchises need to wake up.
@star: Point taken on the winning culture – I get that and I understand that a lot of kids see Westville winning galas and want to go there. Fact still remains, if I were to stand next to the Westville pool for 12 months I wouldn’t see a lot of training / coaching going on. I would see a lot of good swimmers swimming time trials to see whether they swim 1st or 4th in the relay event or if they drop to the B team. That is the difference between a swimming factory and a swimming warehouse. None of that speculation – I have confirmed with several Westville swimmers that what happens there is mainly time trails.
What is speculation is what the twins ‘deal’ was at Glenwood. Why do you think it is that different to what their deal would have been at Westville? Who knows why they weren’t in the Glenwood photo – maybe they were swimming? What I do know is that my lighty has known for a long time that they were going to Glenwood – he swam many Age Group as well as D&D galas against them last year. The reason you think they went to Glenwood couldn’t be further from the truth.
@CyndiAtRugby: Guess South East, top tier. No season ticket holders up there. Take tissues, known to get nosebleeds at that altitude.
@star:
They weren’t in the Glenwood bursaries photo. Were still on course for Hilton then. Don’t know what theywere offered but the were still in grade 7 so it was fair game
@ Greenblooded- ” just stating facts” A little bit of clarification. Westville winning 44 galas in a row is what is called a fact. What schools might or might not do and the effect on Westville’s swimming dominance is called speculation. I seem to remember a lot of specualtion by who Beet calls “haters” of excellence, when Westville’s international stars left in 2010. 2 years later Westville had the best results in their history. Your specualtion might come to pass but until them it is just that. I could speculate about winning culture( which is so important in all sports) and am so thankful that when Chad beat Phelps Westville had given him that edge
@ Westers- I think the whole issue of bursaries could be resolved if there was a window and a cap( 100%) in place. Last minute deals with 160% + bursaries is the reason some parents tout their kids and turn them into commodities.( makes my blood run cold) Schools are also part of the toxic dance. Out of interest I wonder what the Twins are on and when the deal was struck. I might be wrong but I don’t remember seeing them in the bursary presentation photo. Maybe G/B can shed some light. Might be pure speculation on my part and I apolgise for that in advance.
Westers – I take that as a compliment
Then Grey College is Manchester United of SBR
@Grasshopper, If everyone went for history and tradition there would only be a few schools. Westville does have a history and tradition – it just doesn’t compare to Glenwood, DHS and quite a few others and I fully acknowledge this. At the end of the day history and tradition mean very little if it is not backed up by current performance. You talk about supporting real football clubs – not those that buy success. You may be interested to know that Man City has a longer history than most of the clubs you mention, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona. It shows that history and tradition alone do not equal success in todays world. I would equate Glenwood to a Man City in some ways.
With regard to the bursaries, I don’t know how many Westville have given out and for what amount? I don’t have a problem with the awarding of bursaries but would be happy if there was some way of restricting it to boys who enrolled at the school from Grade 8. I know Westville have given out bursaries for boys who arrive later than Grade 8 and I don’t agree with it.
@Greenwood: I am desperately trying to figure this one out. It is only compulsory for Grades 8 – 10 which makes about 600 boys give or take a few. I think some of the higher grades may be there too. So where in the stadium can you seat 600 people without infringing on the season ticket holders (unless they are just going to be surrounded)?
My thinking is either in the lighties area (is it big enough and will the parents/supporters sit there too) or in those seats half way to heaven. I would prefer the lighties seating behind the poles to those seats in heaven.
I will let you know when I get my tickets – the school hasn’t received them yet.
Cindy
Saturdays Curtain raiser
any idea where we will be seated on Saturday – from what I hear the supporters/parents will be seated near the boys – question – what about the season ticket holders ? are they not going to be displaced or are we going to sit behind the posts where the lighties normally sit – hope not
@Westers: Agree with you about the appologies owing to young JB if his age is verified but there are still unanswered questions on this.
@Westers: Major difference between rugby and swimming – you cannot compare the two. Swimmers are developed at their swimming clubs and swim for their schools. Rugby players are developed at their schools. In fact I have been told quite reliably that there is no swimming coaching at Westville – the only thing that happens is the boys swim time trials once a week to determine who makes the team in which stroke and in which order. Confirm or deny? I will find out more from my source. Westville buy swimmers. They do not produce swimmers. Other schools are starting to follows suit (Clifton / Glenwood / Northwood and DHS) so you will see over the next few years Westville’s dominance in the pool will subside. Nothing to do with envy – just stating the facts.
@Westers, certainly not green with envy. Just giving out the same medicine many have to Glenwood for their big improvements in rugby. Buying in swimmers seems ok and not a word is said but buying in rugby players is. Glenwood have only recently starting bringing in players at grade 10/11 level and that was because others were taking their players eg Hilton. I lived in Westville and seen what is there, very happy with my decision to go with tradition and history above ‘plastic’ fabricated traditions and teams. Money can buy you success, just ask Chelsea and Man City. Much prefer to support one of the real football teams eg Man U, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Munich, Barcelona…..those that have earned a reputation over years of hard work. Respect cannot be bought, but hey Westville is trying their best to create a USP over the big traditional schools….75 bursaries in grade 8, come on boet……that is bought success!
@Westers: I think when you’re a top dog in a sport in KZN, you feel the heat from those trying to catch up to you. The Glenwood guys will testify to that being the case in rugby. I’m worried that very soon the Westville swimming supporters will start labelling others as “haters” in accordance with trend
@Grasshopper, When it comes to swimming the colour of your jersey is very apt. Green with envy. Westville aren’t only doing a good job with the swimmers. They have been pretty good in most sports over the last few years (cricket, rugby, swimming, football, golf). They are creating an all round offering at a good level. And to boot, their academic record is not too bad either. This attracts a lot of boys to the school, most of whom are full fee paying. Seems like a good formula to me.
@beet: @NW_Knight: My humblest apologies for the confusion
@Horsie, I would think he will play U20 as he was classified as U19 last year. From what I heard (very unofficial) he underwent some form of test last year to determine his age and was found to be a legit U19. Therefore he came on in the last game of the season last year. I would hope that the Sharks setup will verify this before they play him in age group rigby. If it is verified then a few apologies are owed to the guy from some of the bloggers on this site.
@GreenBlooded:
I’m guessing he will be playing U19( he’s training with them). Were we possibly wrong or is he still sliming through the system.*shock* yeah true about Westville. Sometimes, like in 2009, they will also offer an average swimmer a bursary to maximize the chance of his super-good brother going to that school. Westville did that and its about to pay off with one of the Highbury U13 boys who’s on the top of everyones wish-list. Doesn’t matter, they will be stopped eventually. Something that worries me about Westville are that some of their top swimmers are a grade higher than their team-mates. Eg GWDs top swimmer Kev Bargate is in grade 10 but is U15. This worries me because when these squads get to matric they won’t have all these boys which will leave a serious gap for Glenwood.
An example of this gap is when the currentGWD U16 team was in grade 8 and K.Bargate was swimming for them they beat Westville many-a-time. Now kevin dropped an age -Group and this once excellent side only deals with 3rd and 4th place now…
@Gungets Tuft: yeah the whole swimming thing goes in cycles. Mainly 3 schools…
@beet:
Didn’t know before then that Dan du Preez was captain of rugby at Kearsney. Good on him! Thought Baiggio Pellicia was going to be cappie
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Yeah I watched the Sharkbite just to see the Kearsney Fest bit at the end. Was quite good. There were also short interviews with Chris de Beer, Matthew Worral-Clare and Daniel du Preez, so very much a local flavour to it. I mean they could easily have called on the big name imports to do all the talking.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: I think that Westville gets swimmers without a big outlay. As Greenblooded says, 25% will do it when another school is offering nothing or 25% as well. Westville have a good swimming setup as well as money driving it. As I said, loads of parents obviously willing to support the school for whatever reason. I support College, did when my boy was not there, do now, will when he has left. I suppose Westville parents do as well.
Glenwood coming back at swimming, great. Schools need to jack up to compete, nice when it pays off. Remember it was not that long ago when Glenwood were being accused of dominating the market, DHS have had their moments (not too recently but their time will come – just need to stock up on them thar pencils). Until there are proper rules governing it (like Saru rules WRT to home unions having an opportunity to match deals), then it is up to the schools to figure out how to compete. Had it pointed out to me that a top PMB boy has gone to Glenwood – snot like he drove past PMB because he likes the N3 any more than the top boys College have this year do (although 8 out of 10 DPHS boys have Old Boy dads so I suppose that says something). Ag, I am relaxed about it. Parents will do what they do – send ’em where they like. As long as they play nicely when trying to get them to move (school and parents – how about they pay back the bursary money??), then it’s love and war, all fair.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: I saw the notorius Senzo Mtshali on Friday night playing for Collegian 1st team – I think he was in more schools than exam rooms during his school career. Still up to his old tricks. Together with his highly notorius loosehead prop it’s surprising that they managed to complete the game with more than 13 players.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: What age group is he playing?
@HORSEFLY NO.1: It doesn’t have to be a lot of money. When nobody is offering anything to swimmers, all you need to offer is 25% which is better than nothing and they will go. You get 4 reasonable swimmers for the price of one good one which gives you depth as well as creating a vacuum at the rival schools. I know quite a few Westville B Team swimmers on 25% bursaries. Had these kids gone to other schools and the talent spread more evenly, the galas wouldn’t be so one-sided. That will change now with other schools competing for the swimmers.
OH MY WORD!!! I just saw the famous “I rolled my ankle and will be out for the rest of the season” guy from Westville Boys.(Flank,Hooker) saw him on Shark Bite and he’s a Sharks Academy 1st year…
@Gungets Tuft:
Gungets, some schools don’t have the kind of money that WBHS seem to be throwing around. They can afford to offer soooo many boys swimming specific bursaries. Most schools can’t. You have to be multitalented. Look at Glenwood U14. 4 really good swimmers where two are on swim specific bursaries and the other two are also good rugby players (the twins). I think that Greenblooded mentioned that they tried to get his boy too…
@HORSEFLY NO.1: I reckon it’s an indictment on other schools, including my own, that there is not enough on offer to persuade kids that A team there is not better than B team at Westville. Clearly they go for the better coaching and exposure – as much as it hurts to say so.
Agree about the over the top cheerleading, it does sound a little like trying to tell mom and dad-ordinary that their school fees are being well spent … on mom and dad-specials kids. But, bursaries are a done deal, clearly some parents don’t mind sponsoring a little reflected glory.
@Grasshopper:
Haha believe it or not they’ve used up most of those adjectives.haha. Yeah you make a good point though, that’s not how I’d like my kid to be brought up when its winning. Teach them humility and also reality. Fact is, although Westville are great they would get their butts kicked in an international event.
Also, it doesn’t count when you block other schools from competing by offering boys scholarships just to swim for your B team…
@Gungets Tuft:
Yeah but I think its the fitness levels more than anything.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: They always manage a sburt towards the end if they need it then?
@Horsie, once again another very toned down and balanced article by Westville….NOT! I wouldn’t be surprised when they win the D&D gala, words like god-like, annihilation, supreme and a barrage of other adjectives will be used. These are kids and all human, teaching them that they are better than others is not exactly what I would want as a parent. We are all equals and humility in victory and defeat would be my priority….but hey some think they are genuinely better than others….aloof is probably the word I would use…
@star:
Yip. Even better is that the DHS U15 side will have its top swimmers back and will be a thorn in Westvilles back specially in the Fly.
There was no game. College was at some festival. I reckon they were scared… Jokes.
Interestingly, seems DHS 1st polo was down by 2 after 3rd chukka only to go on and win. Same thing happened vs Glenwood. Me thinks they are starting to become come-back Kings.
Probabaly the fitness levels though, you get caught out very easily in Polo, especially the last chukka
@ Horsy- The D & D gala is going have an incredible vibe with all these close races. Must say though for Westville to win 23 races( the 2nd best in the history of the Top 8 gala after the dream 2012 team) and with all the pressure is very impressive.
What happened to the DHS V MC Ist cricket match? Did they play?
@greenblooded
http://www.wbhs.co.za/?p=2024
Seems Westville U14 pipped a really strong Glenwood team to the 4x50m free. Training at WBHS is unmatched though and so is the depth so I guess this was expected…
Glenwood will have a chance to right their wrongs on Wednesday…
@NW_Knight:
I blame Cyndi. She started out saying Tuesday
It’s on WEDNESDAY 06 MARCH
Thanks
@Beet: Tuesday?? I thought it was Wednesday.
@beet: Glenwood also lost players to other unions last year and in previous years – and no doubt some other schools too. It’s a problem and I don’t think that this is a good solution if indeed that is what it is intended for – can’t think of any other reason.
@GreenBlooded: The first part of your comment makes me think its time to increase the R/B/W part of your jersey avatar
I am concerned that players might see it an only opportunity to impress the non-travelling Sharks Craven Week overriding selector and I don’t blame them. Some of them would have undeservedly been overlooked come June.
As for the Sharks scouting for players, I think this event is going to be a lot more of a Sharks Academy marketing exercise than anything else but again with many of the financial strings pullers in attendance there is opportunity to for a player who has been flying under the radar to change an opinion or two of his future potential.
Lots of things are changing in school rugby and so has contracting. The Bulls have already signed up 70% of their book for 2014 u19 and from the nationwide players I know about the Sharks are already at least 66% of the way there as well, if not more – and the season has not even started yet.
@Green Hopper: It something the Sharks Scouts have organised to see what talent there is in the schools without having to actually go and watch a school match (perish the thought). You are quite correct – it will be about individuals trying to catch a selectors eye. Let’s just hope they don’t injure themsleves in the process – it is going to be a long hard season for some………
@beet: I agree with the intention and hope it pans out in that way. I love the idea of this competition, just not sure about the timing.
@Green Hopper: The Sharks have organised a rugby day at Kings Park on 06/03/13. See here:
http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/blog/?p=2473
@CyndiAtRugby: would like to know what game you are referring to ? the 1st team trials?? if so its always a mash mix of game as every boys is slightly individualistic
@Greenwood: agree , the Northwood team will be beaten again, i think GW is really quite this year as they have been drawing too much preseason media , with DHS Westville and Newspapers again
I think they are trying to steer away from the build up of negativity that prevailed last year and is probably a reason the dropped down to the 2nd team games, win and win quietly , stay below the radar is the theme I see coming through
@CyndiAtRugby: I think people must be careful not to build the Tuesday night games up to be something they are not meant to be.
The game on Saturday vs Framesby is a proper 1st XV schools match – 70mins. Tuesday is 2x20min with 10 subs. It’s a warm-up slash trial. Teams are expected to rotate players and can even put them on the park again after they were subbed. And the Sharks even asked the schools not to play win at all costs rugga.
@Greenwood: I am very interested to see what team is played on Saturday bearing mind that they play another hard game on Tuesday night. The squad is looking really good during practices and they are being worked hard.
I will be joining the parents and boys – probably on those seats half way to heaven. I think the vibe is going to be amazing.
Must comment on the EP Kings game – 2 ex schoolboys 1 from Grey PE and Dale these guys must have been about 18 – very impressed with the Kings here – will overlook the fact that they wore the sharks colours – but very impressed with the never say die attitude a- great game to watch
just hope they can keep the momentum going
I reckon that Glenwood’s “Invitation” team consisting of 3rds & 4ths players would have given Northwood a run for their money – I hear Glenwood’s 2nds are in training with the 1st team squad – very quiet from the school – no news about Glenwoods squad make up – quite a difference from last year !!
Well done Northwood. Good stuff. It seems a lot still has to be done before the next game. DHS game will be a lot tougher and much more testing…