Boys to Men
Very few followers of schoolboy rugby in the province would have given the Michaelhouse First XV a fighting chance against a well oiled Green Machine running on all cylinders after a convincing win against Westville the previous weekend.
A physical, experienced Glenwood at home was always going to be a stern challenge for the first rugby fixture on the Michaelhouse calendar, but spectators were treated to a feast of passionate schoolboy rugby on Saturday.
Captain of Michaelhouse, Thomas Walker, 2013’s Academy B scrumhalf lead his team onto a hot, dusty Dixons to face their first challenge of the season. The encounter shaped up as a hugely physical David and Goliath showdown, and the bruising first quarter stalemate was broken when Michaelhouse winger Liam Furniss rounded off some slick passing to cross in the corner for an unconverted try to put the visitors into an unexpected lead.
The Glenwood boys were noticeably surprised, both by the physicality of their smaller opponents and by the breach in their defensive line. Passion in defence got the better of Michaelhouse hooker, Bradley Roberts, and he was yellow carded for a robust tackle just minutes before the break.
Michaelhouse emerged guns blazing from half time and with 14 men on the field, managed to force indiscipline on the host’s part. Form flyhalf, Bader Pretorius stroked the penalty over from 40m out with cool confidence. Pretorius was the leading points scorer at last year’s Grant Khomo week and he clearly relished his First Team debut on Saturday, troubling the Glenwood defence with ball in hand and with his boot.
The Green Machine forwards then dropped a gear and ground a try out from a line-out. Pretorius then answered with another long range penalty to put the boys from Balgowan beyond two scores on 11-5.
Almost déjà vu like, a second forward try followed by another long range penalty from Pretorius left the score at 14-10 with just minutes to go.
When Michaelhouse lock forward, Gary Porter was yellowcarded in the dying minutes of the game with the Glenwood pack in an abrasive mood, the dye was cast and an accurate penalty kick set the home team up for a line-out just metres from the Michaelhouse try line. The converted try sealed the match for the home side as they took the lead for the first time in the encounter to claim a tough victory – their 35th in 84 encounters.
The record books will reflect a defeat, but in terms of experience for the Michaelhouse First XV of 2014, the encounter against Glenwood was a coming of age for a talented and immensely brave team.
From Murray Witherspoon
