Glenwood rugby players are set to play against Hilton sooner than most people probably expected. In 2014 Hilton went on record with their reasons for discontinuing interschools rugby fixtures against Glenwood. http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=9406
Saturday’s rugby encounter in the Midlands is not an official interschools event nor is it even a proper match. It’s believed to be a training game involving a Glenwood 2nd XV against the Hilton 1st XV squad.
Hilton needs to up the ante now. In a little over a week’s time they have an interesting regular season opener against DHS and they may not be the favourites in spite of home field advantage. In 2014 Hilton needed a late penalty to edge out DHS 18-15 on Gilfillan. Both schools are expected to field stronger teams than in 2014 and it could be another close call again this time around.
The highly professional Hilton coaching staff which includes video analyst Burger Nel were out last Friday evening watching and capturing video footage of DHS (and others) at the Vories Night Series, so chances are that they will be back this week to do more intel gathering.
DHS has had quite an extensive preseason and after their encounter against the Westville 2nd XV, they are expected to head into next week’s regular season quite well prepared.
Glenwood has had a quieter than usual preseason. During the week they took on Northwood in a chukka controlled training game. There were no contests at scrums or lineouts but live rucks and tackles. Northwood is expected to be put to the test by Porties Night Series champions George Campbell in a little over a week while Glenwood don’t appear to have any commitments for weekend-1 of the KZN regular season ahead of Michaelhouse in an informal match at the DHS 150th in two weeks’ time.
Michaelhouse will start with a warm-up game against Clifton. Clifton had to cancel a training session against Westville 2nd XV this week, so like House their commitment to summer sports might leave them undercooked when they take the field at the DHS 150 Rugby Day.
Westville 1st XV looked decent in their outing against DHS last Friday and their clash against hosts Voortrekker may not be as physical as the DHS encounter but should provide the Griffons with a reasonable challenge ahead of the massive Highways derby against hosts Kearsney on Saturday 12 March.
Kearsney has just completed their annual Northern Natal short tour where they beat Pionier of Vryheid 16-8 and Sarel Cilliers of Glencoe 25-14.
Maritzburg College minus a few of their prominent players had a good workout against Voortrekker on a wet field last Friday. Next up for them is an internal match involving their 1st and 2nd XV. They too have a bye on 12 March.
Very proud of Glenwood Old Boy Warren Whiteley this morning, led his troops well. Well done Lions, put all those guys into green jersey’s!
@beet: were u there?
Team vs Vorries
Jonker
Prinsloo
Grant
Veldsman
Barnard
Rivalland
Pelzer
Heyneke
Waddilove
Merensky
Boulle
Mhlangu
Swartz
Muzibuko
Lombard
@Griffonfly: What changes? Any names?
@beet: good to hear, team? Who looked impressive? Did they compete physically? Weaknesses?
Glenwood had a very impressive training match against the Collegians u19s today.
5 changes to the Westville team to take on Vorries. This includes positional, injury and players returning from summer sports programme. There are also a number of changes to the Westville team who will take on DHS. This side should show a vast improvement from last week. There has been a great team spirit amongst the squad this week. Looking ahead to the 12th March, the game against Kearsney is also compulsory for WBHS.
Glad things are thawing, both schools have such a long history!
I am glad but what has changed since then?