Campbell give Glenwood a torrid time
The Green Machine stuttered to victory on Saturday as George Campbell threw everything and the kitchen sink at them. The score of 21-0 may suggest otherwise but, it was a tight affair for most of the encounter that included some huge hits and a couple of injuries.
The match started off with a superb try in just the second minute and it seemed it would be plain sailing from then on but, it did not turn out that way. The opening try was scored by eighth-man Bryan Shabangu, on his welcome return to the 1st XV. The final pass was appropriately delivered by outside centre Hennie Swartz. Flyhalf Storm Pearton converted from in-front, taking the score to 7-0.
Nothing much happened until half-time, other than scrumhalf Andrich Arlow suffering a concussion and being replaced by Ross Mallett just before the break.
The second Glenwood try came courtesy of some slick hands down the right-hand touch-line as Pearton collected an inside pass from right-winger Msizi Ngcongo. The final touch-down of the day, would round off a great return for powerhouse loosie Shabangu, as he crossed the line unopposed after a dummy maul off a lineout sent the defenders the wrong way. Pearton converted both for a comfortable yet bruising 21-0 win.
The game as a spectacle was fairly forgettable but, it will unfortunately be remembered for the accidental clashing of heads between Glenwood’s fullback Marinus Coetzee and team-mate Ngcongo. Both were initially out-for-the-count, but have improved dramatically and should be fine.
Finally, a sincere thanks goes out to George Campbell for not backing down from the challenge and fielding 16 teams without staggers.
By Brendon Liebenberg
