Glenwood played an attacking brand of rugby to record a useful 31-10 win against Kearsney on Dixon’s over the weekend.
The Green Machine has amongst the toughest fixture at this year’s ABSA Wildeklawer Skouspel. They take on a rejuvenated Paul Roos followed by Affies who arrive in Kimberley as the team to beat, having just claimed the major scalp of Paarl Gim.
The key to success will be for the Wood pack to front up and use its mobility to produce up-tempo matches, as they already possess the skill and speed in the backline combinations to influence the scoreboard. Tackling and competing for the ball at the rucks will also be critical. Against Affies, the opponents comfort with altitude may also be a consideration in game-planning.
Report from Kearsney College / notes from Beet in bold
Glenwood hosted Kearsney on Saturday in somewhat damp and slippery conditions. The hosts enjoyed a dream start from a counter-attack from a misguided kick from the visitors. From the first breakdown they attacked the small side with great off-loading skills, which saw the evasive right winger Ronaldo le Fleur scoring close to the uprights for a 7-point lead in the first minute of the match.
Ronaldo le Fleur – dynamite player – electric pace – good rugby brain – his name must surely be penned in for Craven Week already as he has been consistently good.
Their second try followed shortly, with a good line from the full back from a right-hand scrum penetrating the defense and linking masterfully with the outside backs for a spectacular try in the left-hand corner. This stretched the lead to 12-0 in the 10th minute of the match.
Glenwood fullback Jaco Williams is a player with a lot of potential – in terms of size, speed and run-kick-pass skills, he ticks the boxes.
Kearsney responded well though, and soon afterwards gained a Matthew Bergset penalty from sustained pressure and good breakdown work by eighthman Cameron Roache. Kearsney then enjoyed a good passage of play and was rewarded with a converted try by flanker Matthew Campbell who dive over from pick and go plays by his fellow forwards.
Scrumhalf Bergset is a tidy consistent player and Cameron Roache also very dependable. It’s not surprising they often get mentioned as One-Stripe achievers. Matthew Campbell is another give it all he has type player with a lot of potential and would be an asset to any KZN 1st XV this year. His lineout work and work ethic make him a player to watch at KZN trials.
The score of 12-10 for Glenwood remained for some time and Kearsney missed a golden scoring opportunity when, in an attempt for a lineout maul, a penalty was kicked over the dead ball line.
Kearsney’s kicking out of hand and for the corners needs plenty of work. It really cost them dearly. While the score was 12-10, Kearsney were competing very well and it looked like the match could go either way.
Soon after Glenwood scored their third try from accurate chip kicks and were perhaps somewhat fortunate when the Kearsney cover defense slipped, presenting the Glenwood centre an easy pickup to score under the posts. That stretched the lead to 19-10 which was also the half-time score.
Every now and again Glenwood centre Jeandre van der Walt reminds spectators that he’s an underrated player. Luck played a part but he basically manufactured and scored this try and what was endearing is that after the great effort, no show-boating. It says something, he’s a team-player. Tough player as well.
Glenwood started the second half very strongly and after seven minutes winger Le Fleur scored his second try after sustained pressure on the visitors’ goal line and quick ball shifting on the blind side.
Not much mentioned about the Glenwood pack. They do not stand out physically but they have workers needed to succeed and this match was useful for them to gain more self-belief ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.
Eight minutes later Glenwood scored their last converted try from yet another failed attempt at finding touch from a penalty kick. The hosts launched a good counterattack which stretched from side to side with impressive tempo and good interplay between forwards and backs. Flyhalf Drico Marx eventually scored, converting for the final score line of 31-10.
Very good play. Glenwood look impressive when they achieve high paced continuity and flow, mixed with some strike plays can get 5-pointers. Drico Marx is a key player for the GMs and gives these hints that he can be a 5-star general out there. He certainly has a few very desirable attributes for rugby after school and just needs to prove that he can boss a few more games from start to finish.
Glenwood enjoyed the territorial advantage for the remainder of the match but credit must go to the disrupted Kearsney team who defended well and never stood back for the physicality of the hosts. Outstanding players for Kearsney were hooker Devahn van der Walt, captain and flanker Jason Brien, eighthman Cameron Roache and scrum half Matthew Bergset.
Devahn van der Walt is continuously improving u17 hooker – perhaps the best jackal in KZN this year. Jason Brien is warrior. Very physical player. Big engine.
glenwood will be beaten easily by both
Is that Le Fleur related to Conan?