Big win for Grey at Glenwood

Glenwood played host to Grey College of Bloemfontein this weekend in what was a much anticipated clash.  Grey scored tries and deservedly won the match 29-12.

Both teams are in the top half of the FNB Top 20 – Grey first, Glenwood ninth.

The opening exchanges were dominated by the visitors who enjoyed much of the territorial and possession advantage. Credit, however, must be given to the Glenwood side who remained disciplined on defence and showed great patience whilst absorbing the early pressure.

The home side looked dangerous with ball in hand and once they found their attacking rhythm they were able to break Grey’s defensive line with ease. Having got themselves into good attacking positions Glenwood were rewarded with a string of penalties that were converted by Curtis Jonas, which extend the home teams lead to 6-0 late into the first half.

Jonas was on song with the boot and slotted a drop goal to extend the home teams lead to 9-0 with only a few minutes left on the clock.

Grey are never the team to back down from a challenge and responded with a try of their own as they mauled Glenwood over the try-line from a line-out which resulted from a Glenwood indiscretion.

Half-time saw the teams locked up at 9-5 with the game still very much in the balance.

The second half saw both teams playing with width and great confidence. Glenwood’s loose forwards broke the defensive line with ease and created a number of opportunities that, unfortunately for the hosts, were not capitalised on.

With the game becoming looser and the Glenwood side having to defend for long periods of time the Grey team slowly started to exert some pressure. They were rewarded with three more tries and a penalty which left the final score at 29-12.

Glenwood would be disappointed with the result as they created several try-scoring opportunities but were not able to capitalise on these. Against a quality team like Grey, these opportunities are few and far between and taking these opportunities is often the difference between winning and losing.

Glenwood now travel up to Pretoria this week to face the challenge of Affies and will be keen to make amends for the disappointment of Saturday.

By Mike Vowels

Glenwood vs. Grey College

26 July 2014

Scorers:

For Grey College:

Tries: Callie van Vuuren, Jakes du Preez, Julian Jordaan, Tabo Maree

Cons: Tokkie Kasselman 3

Pen: Tokkie Kasselman

For Glenwood:

Pens: Curtis Jonas 3

Drop: Curtis Jonas.

Teams

Glenwood: 15 Jayden Morgan, 14 Chris Bredell, 13 Sphamandla Ngcobo, 12 Donovan du Randt, 11 Lunga Mukendi, 10 Curtis Jonas, 9 Kwazi Khanyile, 8 Marco Palvie, 7 MacMillan Muller, 6 James Venter, 5 Nama Xaba, 4 Kevin du Randt, 3 Christopher Klopper, 2 PJ Kobi, 1 Percy Mngadi

Coaches: Rudi Dames, Mike Vowles

Grey College: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Charl Pretorius, 13 Julian Jordaan, 12 Mike Andrade, 11 Glenn Erickson, 10 Tokkie Kasselman, 9 Dian Badenhorst, 8 Werner Roberts, 7 Henry Slabbert, 6 Marius Kruger, 5 Kassel Rothman, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Janu Botha, 2 JC van Vuuren, 1 Callie van Vuuren

Coach: Wessel du Plessis

By Milke Vowels, Glenwood coach

Photo of Illunga Mukendi by Gareth Sedgbeer-Williams