Diamonds Sparkle

Diamonds are found often in dry places and for Hoërskool Diamantveld there has been a seven-match rugby drought in its competition with archrivals Hoërskool Noord-Kaap. Diamantveld broke the drought and won 24-12, thus taking charge of Kimberley.

The Diamonds still trail Northerns by 11 matches to six since 2003.

There was a lot of grind in the match which was 23 minutes old before the first points were scored – a try by Noord-Kaap flyhalf Robbie Petzer who put his side 7-0 ahead.

But seven minutes later left wing Henri Rossouw went over for Diamantveld to make it 7-5 to Noord-Kaap, the half-time score.

In the second half three more tries built up the Diamantveld lead to 24-7 – tries by centres Nico Roets and JD Swanepoel, and lastly by fullback Keaton Gordon.

In the very last minute of the match Noord-Kaap scored a consolation try.

For the winners Gerco Nortjé, the flyhalf, was brilliant and his side were given good ball from the breakdown by their forwards with flanks Janco Cloete and Nardus Bosman showing the way.

For Noord-Kaap their locks, Rikus Zwart and Bradley Leijdekkers, were outstanding.

After the match there was good spirit between the two teams and Diamantveld's new coach told the Diamond Fields Advertiser: "I'd like to thank Shaun [Huygen, the Noord-Kaap coach] and his side for the fantastic game and the awesome spirit and grace they displayed during and after the match."

There is more than just the match involved as Diamantveld now play Louis Botha in the Shimla League for medium schools while Noord-Kaap play Bethlehem Voortrekker.

Scorers

For Diamantveld:

Tries: Hendri Rossouw, Etdeon Greyvensteyn, Nico Roets, Keaton Gordon.

Cons: Gerco Nortje 2

For Noord-Kaap:

Tries: Robbie Petzer, Ulric Sellar

Con: Robbie Petzer

Teams

Diamantveld: 15  Keaton Gordon, 14 Etdeon Greyvenstein, 13  Nico Roets, 12 JD Swanepoel, 11 Henri Rossouw, 10  Gerco Nortjé, 9  JP Roets, 8  Johan Skema Joubert, 7  Nardus Bosman (captain), 6  Janco Cloete, 5  JD Fourie, 4 Wayne Botma, 3 Nathan Christiaans, 2 Brandon Smith, 1 Werner Goosen

Noord-Kaap: 15 Lukas  Oberholster,  14 Wilfred Bowers, 13 Siyambuka Lawu, 12 Daniello Huyster, 11 Thomas  Fortuin, 10 Robbie Petzer, 9 Brandon de Melim, 8 Hannes Jacobs, 7 Gerhard Holtzhausen, 6 Willbritte Uys, 4 Rikus Zwart, 5 Bradley Leijdekkers, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Geo  Davel, 1 Qhama  Hina

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (Free State Referees' Society)

Assistant referees: Jeff van Rooyen (Griqualand West Referees' Society), Nico Schmahl (Griqualand West Referees' Society)

Results Down the Years

Since 2006, there have been Classic Clashes. Where there are two matches in a season, the first was a Classic Clash. Of the nine played so far Noord-Kaap have won seven.

2003: Noord-Kaap won 18-13 and Diamantveld won 24-22

2004: Noord-Kaap won 22-20 and 13-10

2005: Diamantveld won 26-18

2006: Noord-Kaap won 11-10 and Diamantveld won 48-16

2007: Diamantveld won 17-11 and 28-0

2008: Noord-Kaap won 27-24

2009: Noord-Kaap won 24-13

2010: Noord-Kaap won 21-12

2011: Noord-Kaap won 44-7 and 27-20

2012: Noord-Kaap won 22-15

2013: Noord-Kaap won 27-19

2014: Diamantveld won 24-12