An outstanding comment posted by Parochial on 18 June 2013:
As the rugger season draws to a close, I wanted to share some of my reflections on some of the key games and issues.
It would be difficult to judge the Westville side based on our first game of the season. It was Hilton’s first game, and Westville looked quite nervous too. It proved not to be a game of the highest quality and not to be too critical, but no single player stood out. What did impress was the commitment on both sides and if I am not mistaken both sides lost 4 players apiece to injury owing to the ferocity of the encounter. It was a humdinger and the game was decided in the last few minutes via an icky bounce (but the Golden Rule is don’t let it bounce in the first place). There were 2 things I really appreciated on the day and afterwards. The Westville kids were excellent ambassadors for their school and the parents and bloggers were appropriately humble in victory.
The next big match against Glenwood proved interesting…this was the great mudbath! What I will say is that with 7 minutes left and the scores tied at 9-apiece I asked myself whether I would take the draw and wish for an early blow on the whistle. Honestly, I thought not, and thought we had the beating of Glenwood. Even when there had been a break through the centre to put Glenwood 14-9 ahead, Hilton went straight back on the offensive and I thought we could take it. The try that that Vermaak kid then started (within his own 22 with the ball bobbling at his feet and the entire pack looking to bury him) and ended was the best schoolboy try I have seen (given the conditions) and if one is ever to lose a game you would want it to be to that kind of quality rather than grumbling about the reffing decisions etc. Again, I was very impressed with the behavior of the boys and parent body. They were a credit to the school.
That goodwill was certainly tempered following the “Craven Week selection debacle”. The comments that followed about the Glenwood 2nds whipping most First Teams; 2 wrongs make a right (20 years we were underrepresented, now it’s the turning of the circle) etc were distasteful and absent humility. They go a long way to explaining the hysterical schadenfreude that accompanied Glenwood’s loss to George Campbell. Glenwood has become the most consistent performer in KZN through the past 10 years, and their structures, coaching and turnaround etc are to be complimented. My experience of Grey College, Affies, Paarl Gim etc is that they know they are good and do their talking on the rugby field. Glenwood could learn a lot from them. But even more, until the “verneukery” in Craven Week selection is dealt with, Glenwood will struggle to get the respect they deserve.
The game against College was great if you were a Hilton supporter. Notwithstanding the flu epidemic etc it was just bloody nice to get a victory over such a respected opponent. In terms of standouts, I had read about that Goodsen fellow, and I saw him only once in the half he played, but oh my…he ran around and through and over the Hilton pack in that one cameo. Similarly, our No 8 – Maseko – had an absolute blinder for the full game. My thoughts were that whoever was picked for the CW side must be bloody good to keep those 2 out….they were that good. The outside centre – Elders – was also magnificent, every time he had the ball he created something. I must say that notwithstanding the circumstance, MC were gracious in defeat. I have to say I love the attitude of the “attack dogs”, MCs ability to get normal kids to run through brick walls if necessary is astounding
A single comment on Hilton’s captain, Cameron Wright. He has been bloody brilliant, and watching that poor Venter guy backing up Ungerer…eish…I would have rather had Wright in France. Good to see the two College boys playing so well. (Not sure I would want to claim the )J“green” prop though
Our weekend adventure at Kearsney…well all I can say is hats off to the HC boys…not once did they take a step back, they gave it everything, against a truly astonishing side. In the games against Westville and Glenwood, I always thought that we were in the game and might well take it. At no stage did I feel that against Kearsney where it seemed a reenactment of Custer’s last stand. That forward pack was just stupidly good and big and quick and skillful. And full credit to their No 8, Schramm, he deserves his CW spot, no question. I thought Lines at Fullback was also magnificent…so our CW side is clearly sorted at FB. Ahead of this weekend I would have picked KC at No 1; GW at No 2 (parity at forward with Ville, but better back 3); and Ville at No 3…but clearly Ville are hitting their straps. So for what it is worth…KC were head-and-shoulders better than any other team we played, and I would probably put GW and Ville on a par behind them but ahead of everyone else (If they played home-and-away, think each would win one)
And would you believe the one game I missed was the “famous victory” over our Balgowan friends. Nonetheless, that shall be remedied this weekend as our season finale and I am looking forward to a cracker. House seems to have sorted itself out and the return should be a good 50-50 scrap.
A standout of this blogsite has been the vitriolic exchange between Westville and Glenwood. An outsiders advice would be to sort your s**t out and do what we do with House, play a home and away and do your talking on the field. When you play each other twice a year you learn respect for each other on the field, and that carries over to off the field. It would be preferable to all the willy-waving everyone else has Jto endure
And as thoughts turn to next year…College, Westville and Glenwood all have an exceptional 2014 cohort, it will be a real struggle to stay with them. The year after looks a lottery. Should all be very enjoyable!
@Tigger: Well said, except for the part about the flu epidemic contributing to large margin of victory, you guys have always got to find a way to get that in the blog somehow – always have to try and cast doubt on the result. You guys know damn well how to get under the skin of the Westville supporters!
@Tigger: Well said and balanced
I really do hope the Glenwood boys do well at Craven Week, stay injury free and show the true Glenwood spirit and put up 3 good performances against some serious opposition. College always want to bring our colours down on Dixons, Affies I think will overwhelm our young pack and win easily and then Grey Bloem in Bloem usually ends up being 50 plus points for most sides going there. However Paarl Boys showed what needs to be done there and Glenwood could do well there. Again it all depends on injuries, we certainly going to need to pick the biggest pack we can in the last 2 games, that is why I’m keen Potgieter plays lock in those games to give the extra bulk….
@ Beet- a bit like our performance at KP against KC
I watched the Westville stayers play on Tuesday on there is certainly enough there to look forward to next season. Haystek seems will be used as a floater between blindside flank and lock( he might be the surprize package next year) with the starters being the 2012 GK locks (Martin and Yuric). If we can get Erasmus back then it will be a potent back row.The front row is a work in process and the U16A players might push for places there as they dominated most teams in their age group.
@ Tigger- All the best for the rest of your season( very jealous). You are right about those games where everything goes right for you. I actually thought we had more clear opportunities against House but last gasp defense,forced passes and missed kicks meant a 4 point margin. The complete opposite happened on Goldstones. I am not sure why Westville would have been underestimated. In early blogs I detailed the returning quality and the fact that 60% of the players from 1st to 4ths were back and were supported by the most competitive U16 age group in KZN which had clean sweeps against all major schools, They also had a good balance this year and a guy like Snyman( 3rd season) created a quiet confidence at the back and had a huge impact in several games. It is great having X-Factor but sometimes you need a foil to make it effective.
@beet: I remember that match. I had to walk back to my car, parked at Country Club, to get a cooler full of Fanta. On the way back a Combi full of Bulle drew up next to me, dragged me into the bus, and told me that as a Banana Boy on the end of that beating I had no rights to a drink aferwards. They scored a few tjwala’s and released me unharmed. My parting shot – “See you next week at Loftus, we will bring the Cup home”. I wonder if any of them remembered that after the match.
@Tigger: The Natal vs NTvl game was the Lion Cup final of 1990. One of the most frustrating games I think I have ever watched. I think it ended 28-0 (4 point tries back then) Afterwards there was talk that is was part of Ian Mac’s tactical plan to throw the game and not reveal any secrets ahead of the Currie Cup final against the same team.
The past weekend’s result have certainly been interesting! I watched Glenwood on Friday evening against George Campbell and my impression on the game after some reflection is that george Campbell just did everything they needed to win and Glenwood did not. Hats off to GC, it was your night and one to savour. For Glenwood, the players and coaches, a most frustrating evening to be sure. But that’s how rugby goes sometimes. I seem to recall a few weeks before Natal, as they were then, played Northerns a few weeks before they won the Currie Cup the first time, it was a different competition and we got slaughtered by about 60 or 70 points – it is possible of course that this was a tactic leading to the Currie Cup but somehow I doubt that. One picks one self up, dusts oneself off and prepares for the next challenge. Its called a character building experience. After that game I waited eagerly to see the results from the other two games on Saturday. The Westville/College result was certainly unexpected! To lose by 40 points on Goldstones is surely a hard pill for College to swallow but perhaps they were still suffering from the post affects of the flu epidemic they had, Perhaps we had underestimated Westville all along , perhaps it was the same story as Glenwood where evrything they did worked and everything College did didn’t? In any case hats off to Westville for a great win! To College, its history now and merely a speedbump in the road. Pick yourselves up and face the next challenge with the vigour and pride you have. We know you are better than this.The result between Kearsney and Hilton was also a little surprising. Having watched both Kearsney and Hilton against Glenwood I imagined that the result would be a little closer. Perhaps against Glenwood, Hilton performed better because of the weather conditions, perhaps, perhaps… Kearsney certainly seem to be the 2013 team. As we go forward to Craven week lets get behind all our boys and wish them the best for their endeavours there. When the schools return in July for the third term Glenwood have three big games to handle. First up will be Affies at home. This is going to be an enormous game as Affies have performed consistently well this year. But you never know, strange things happen in rugby. Should be a good one to see. Next up is the return match in Durban against College. Don’t be put off by their loss to Westville, this one is going to be big so if you are not doing anything that Saturday, get to Glenwood. The last game of the season will be against Grey College, at Grey College. This will also be huge as, although Grey have not performed to their usual standard, they would probably like to end the season on a high note. Same for Glenwood, so don’t write them off!
@kcob: The report in the Highway Mail is the same one that KC wrote and was published on SSN
@Amalekite: Ok, you have my attention?
Must just say i have really enjoyed the last couple of articles that have been written by some of the bloggers,nice to be on a blog were there is some real sense been spoken
@Grasshopper: Good to see consistency on your part. You sure that Editor is not a KCOB?
I must say that I am quite chilled about these things. Have to laugh sometimes at these journos and the proof readers that are non-existent at times. I’m just grateful that the kids get recognised for a whole heap of different things – Good to have a community newspaper.
The Westville article says that we were up 15-0 at half time instead of 28-0
@Amalekite: hahaha! Well it’s wrong too as Kearsney won but it was not a hammering. To hammer a team is too completely overwhelm them and the game is over in 10 minutes, like the Proteas today :wink:. I just wish journalist’s didn’t have to create these sorts of headlines, they not trying to sell anything in a free local paper….some respect and middle ground would be appreciated…
@Grasshopper: Grassy, I just picked up a copy of the Highway Mail and immediately thought of you when I saw these 2 sporting headlines side by side:
Westville Celebrate Historic Win
and
Kearsney hammers Hilton
I do believe that the editors have been taking heed of your complaints in regard to Westville
The interesting thing now is going to see how you are going to handle the other headline
@Westers: Agreed on all your points, that must be a first
@Scrum Doctor: As I posted on another thread yesterday, all involved (Headmasters, coaches, parents & boys) need to discuss this issue before next years game and make sure the game is played in the right spirit.
Firstly, I think it is important that the game is played mid to latter part of the season so there is not weeks of build up to a big game (ie there are other games to distract beforehand).
I feel the Headmasters should both come out publicly and show that the air has been cleared.
If both schools play at KERF next year I would also suggest the two coaches get all the boys together at some point and discuss the (unhealthy part of the) rivalry issue and get the two teams to support each other over the weekend (which they do anyway).
I really hope the game is played in the right spirit next year. Just a pity they couldn’t make it happen in the third term.
A good and balanced view – thank you ! Maybe we can all move away from the P!@@&%G contest and comment on the games rather than try and get one over on each other . Just spare a thought for the boys of both GW and Westville who will line up against each other next year fired up by all of this retoric and agro – I hope they have a very strong referee as these boys will have lots of pressure on them to prove a point . The craven week results will prove if many comentators are correct regarding the number of Glenwood boys selected or not . Please remember these are schoolboys and not professional players ( even though in some cases the line gets a littleblurred) . Unfortunately Westville’s season is finished but we will continue to watch the results carefully .
@Parochial: Great post, putting some outside perspective on the Glenwood vs Westville feud to date. Sometimes you need an outsider to point out the issues. I am one who does get down into the detail and probably need to step back, take a deep breath and think about some of my comments. We are all just passionate about our schools but sometimes emotions take over sense. The Westville vs Glenwood feud has been going on for years, way before the recent stuff. I remember fights at Crusaders where even DHS boys joined us against Westville. It’s just the way it is…….maybe like brothers, too similar. We certainly don’t have that sort of relationship with any other KZN school…..
@Parochial: Well done a great post. Hopefully we will get a bit more of the same after Saturday. I must say that watching the Hilton side stand together against a very good Kearsney side on Saturday really epitomised what rugby is all about.
@Parochial: Great post Sir.
I have to admit that I am the man responsible for the statement regarding the Glenwood 2nd XV which as you point out sparked the bad behaviour of everyone else so I guess I need to humbly bare my neck and take the rap for the entire sordid discourse that played out over the past 3 weeks. In retrospect – not my most intelligent remark.
I’m also glad we agree on the pedigree of Daryn Goodson – a real treat watching that guy work his magic on the field. So much so that I intend to schedule an impropt ‘site meeting’ up in Botha’s Hill on Thursday afternoon to watch the Goodson / Schramm tussle unfold.
As to your comments regarding the luke warm relationship…….Ag who are we kidding here, Israel and Palestine have a better relationship……..that is always going to be so. Just the way it is.
@Parochial: {doffing cap} .. great read, thanks for taking the time to write it all down.
As College’s second oldest opponent (after Hermannsberg, whom we have played twice, in 1870 and then for 10 minutes in a memorial “match” this year) 138 years of history leads to a mutual respect. Long may that continue, we look forward to Goldstones next year.
@ Parochial- And written like a true Hilton gentleman- Give that man a single malt
You are right about a 50: 50 scrap. The form book goes right out of the window. I was a Westville boy so my first Hilton House game was something out of the twilight zone and in that vacuum anything can happen. I was in that period where we did win a game for almost 10 years so every current win is very satisfying.
@Parochial: Great assessment, you,ve obviously been around the block!
@beet: Beet – Parochial might well be your next contributor to the site covering the Midlands/PMB area following his latest contribution….
@Parochial: Fantastic read.
@Parochial: Superb piece – fully agree with the Westville vs Glenwood snipes.
HC vs KC on Sat was an outstanding schoolboy rugby display. Great that it was put on for our Founders Weekend.
@Parochial: Great read. Sorry that you missed Hilton at their absolute best on Old Boys day against the old enemy. I had the privilege of watching the game and if you thought Wright was good against College, well he would have smoked your mind during that MHS game. There is a long way still to go but of all the players in KZN this season, Cameron is the only one I feel comfortable saying has future Springbok potential about him. He ticks every box in that scrumhalf position. Last year he proved that he was able to shine at u19 provincial level for the Sharks and really while other HC boys’ season is coming to an end, his 2013 season is just at the halfway point as his campaign to get selected for the JWC2014 starts when the u19 Currie Cup kicks off.
As the rugger season draws to a close, I wanted to share some of my reflections on some of the key games and issues.
It would be difficult to judge the Westville side based on our first game of the season. It was Hilton’s first game, and Westville looked quite nervous too. It proved not to be a game of the highest quality and not to be too critical, but no single player stood out. What did impress was the commitment on both sides and if I am not mistaken both sides lost 4 players apiece to injury owing to the ferocity of the encounter. It was a humdinger and the game was decided in the last few minutes via an icky bounce (but the Golden Rule is don’t let it bounce in the first place). There were 2 things I really appreciated on the day and afterwards. The Westville kids were excellent ambassadors for their school and the parents and bloggers were appropriately humble in victory.
The next big match against Glenwood proved interesting…this was the great mudbath! What I will say is that with 7 minutes left and the scores tied at 9-apiece I asked myself whether I would take the draw and wish for an early blow on the whistle. Honestly, I thought not, and thought we had the beating of Glenwood. Even when there had been a break through the centre to put Glenwood 14-9 ahead, Hilton went straight back on the offensive and I thought we could take it. The try that that Vermaak kid then started (within his own 22 with the ball bobbling at his feet and the entire pack looking to bury him) and ended was the best schoolboy try I have seen (given the conditions) and if one is ever to lose a game you would want it to be to that kind of quality rather than grumbling about the reffing decisions etc. Again, I was very impressed with the behavior of the boys and parent body. They were a credit to the school.
That goodwill was certainly tempered following the “Craven Week selection debacle”. The comments that followed about the Glenwood 2nds whipping most First Teams; 2 wrongs make a right (20 years we were underrepresented, now it’s the turning of the circle) etc were distasteful and absent humility. They go a long way to explaining the hysterical schadenfreude that accompanied Glenwood’s loss to George Campbell. Glenwood has become the most consistent performer in KZN through the past 10 years, and their structures, coaching and turnaround etc are to be complimented. My experience of Grey College, Affies, Paarl Gim etc is that they know they are good and do their talking on the rugby field. Glenwood could learn a lot from them. But even more, until the “verneukery” in Craven Week selection is dealt with, Glenwood will struggle to get the respect they deserve.
The game against College was great if you were a Hilton supporter. Notwithstanding the flu epidemic etc it was just bloody nice to get a victory over such a respected opponent. In terms of standouts, I had read about that Goodsen fellow, and I saw him only once in the half he played, but oh my…he ran around and through and over the Hilton pack in that one cameo. Similarly, our No 8 – Maseko – had an absolute blinder for the full game. My thoughts were that whoever was picked for the CW side must be bloody good to keep those 2 out….they were that good. The outside centre – Elders – was also magnificent, every time he had the ball he created something. I must say that notwithstanding the circumstance, MC were gracious in defeat. I have to say I love the attitude of the “attack dogs”, MCs ability to get normal kids to run through brick walls if necessary is astounding
A single comment on Hilton’s captain, Cameron Wright. He has been bloody brilliant, and watching that poor Venter guy backing up Ungerer…eish…I would have rather had Wright in France. Good to see the two College boys playing so well. (Not sure I would want to claim the “green” prop though )
Our weekend adventure at Kearsney…well all I can say is hats off to the HC boys…not once did they take a step back, they gave it everything, against a truly astonishing side. In the games against Westville and Glenwood, I always thought that we were in the game and might well take it. At no stage did I feel that against Kearsney where it seemed a reenactment of Custer’s last stand. That forward pack was just stupidly good and big and quick and skillful. And full credit to their No 8, Schramm, he deserves his CW spot, no question. I thought Lines at Fullback was also magnificent…so our CW side is clearly sorted at FB. Ahead of this weekend I would have picked KC at No 1; GW at No 2 (parity at forward with Ville, but better back 3); and Ville at No 3…but clearly Ville are hitting their straps. So for what it is worth…KC were head-and-shoulders better than any other team we played, and I would probably put GW and Ville on a par behind them but ahead of everyone else (If they played home-and-away, think each would win one)
And would you believe the one game I missed was the “famous victory” over our Balgowan friends. Nonetheless, that shall be remedied this weekend as our season finale and I am looking forward to a cracker. House seems to have sorted itself out and the return should be a good 50-50 scrap.
A standout of this blogsite has been the vitriolic exchange between Westville and Glenwood. An outsiders advice would be to sort your shit out and do what we do with House, play a home and away and do your talking on the field. When you play each other twice a year you learn respect for each other on the field, and that carries over to off the field. It would be preferable to all the willy-waving everyone else has to endure
And as thoughts turn to next year…College, Westville and Glenwood all have an exceptional 2014 cohort, it will be a real struggle to stay with them. The year after looks a lottery. Should all be very enjoyable!