Classic Clash in the Quiet Midlands
Weston has a working farm, Treverton a game reserve. Riding on horseback is a favourite activity. Both fit perfectly into the stately quiet of Mooi River in the Midlands.
Treverton College was originally a prep school which closed down but was brought back to life by the Baptist church in 1964 and developed into a coeducational school from preprimary to post matric.
Weston Agricultural College is older, founded in 1914, a boys only school.
The match happens during this long weekend and is an FNB Classic Clash at a time when many, many schools in South Africa are enjoying a five-day weekend. But for boarding schools in a rural area the rugby is a welcome break of activity.
The two schools will be playing for the Dowker Trophy, donated by the Dowker family – the father John a Weston Old Boy who captained his school, the son Russell a Treverton Old Boy who played for his school.
Treverton are hosts this year, which means that their farming rivals will be up early, as they always are, breakfasting at quarter past six and then leaving – by truck and trailer – seven o'clock to cross the Mooi River to Treverton for rugby which starts at 20 past eight. And when the matches and hospitality are over they will return, by truck and trailer, to Weston for lunch.
The Weston spectators will also leave at seven and return at two in the afternoon.
Programme for the day
All matches on Holford A
08.20: Under-14 Sevens
08.40: Under-16 Sevens
09.00: Under-15
10.00: 2nd XV
11.15: 1st XV
They have been doing this for well over 30 years. Since it has been a Classic Clash, Weston have usually won.
Rivalry between the two schools was inevitable, and since 2006 the matches between the two have been Classic Clashes, won most often by Weston.
Results to date
2006: Weston won 25-0
2007: Weston won 22-20
2008: Weston won 18-0
2009: Weston won 24-0
2010: Weston won 21-16
2011: Treverton won 27-12
2012: Treverton won 17-6
2013: Weston won 64-13
2014: Treverton won 17-3
2015: Weston won 24-0
2016: Weston won 26-10
Results this Season
Weston have won all three of this matches, beating Vryheid Landbou, Voortrekker of Pietermaritzburg and Howick.
Treverton have won two of their three, beating Stanford Lake and Dainfern, losing to Tyger Valley College.
Weston look as if they may well have the edge again.
Teams:
Treverton: 15 Luyanda Mawesana, 14 Travis van der Westhuyzen, 13 Michael Maher, 12 Zenzele Radebe, 11 Devin Hudson, 10 Justin Caldecott, 9 Edgar Mosha, 8 Siboniso Ndlovu, 7 Scott Rowland, 6 Kevin Tsiane, 5 Jamie Belcher, 4 Tyrone Loring, 3 Vusi Fakazi, 2 Ettienne Swanepoel, 1 Jacques Wessels
Replacements: Ndoda Kheswa, Sabatha Makola, Tyler Malan, Sbusiso Mdawe, Lusanda Ngejane, Juhan Muller, Harley Dell
Weston: TBC
Date: Saturday, 29 April 2017
1st XV kick-off: 11.15
Venue: Treverton College, Mooi River
Expected weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 23°C and a low of 10°C
