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George Campbell win Night Series

George Campbell are the Durban Night Series champions for 2012 with a narrow win over hosts Port Natal, whilst their second team also tasted success!

They took the lead for the first time in the game a second before the final hooter sounded, recording a 6-3 victory in the process.

In character with this year’s Night Series, the game proved to be yet another hard-fought affair that could have gone either way. Despite it’s low-scoring nature, it was a stimulating match contested by two very evenly matched sides.

During the game Campbell, just as in previous matches, were again the architects of their own downfall at times. Silly errors and lack of discipline at rucks cancelled out moments of sheer brilliance. But their attempts to play exciting, running rugby did not go unnoticed and must have won them many fans amongst the neutral supporters. The beauty of playing adventurous rugby is that players become skilled attackers and with Campbell going through this tournament unbeaten, it is hard to find fault with their very direct style of play. They were deserved winners in the end.

Port Natal may have been the losers on the scoreboard but there was a lot for their supporters to be proud of with regards to their team’s effort put in.

As the game wore on, Porties, who were the more structured team at playing to their strengths, seemed to be coming more and more into their own and were looking like probable winners. Although they were outplayed in the scrums, the White Knights dominated the line-outs, both winning their own ball and stealing opposition ball at will. These line-outs often laid the platform for Porties, attacks out wide.

Some slick handling by the Porties backs provided the wings and in particular Philo Mzileni with space to operate in. The young wing showed good pace and stepping skills in the process.

However defence ruled on the night and Campbell’s cover guard did very well to prevent Port Natal from gaining any initiative from recycled ball. There were also numerous big hits in midfield where Campbell centre Lindokuhle Ndimande led the way.

The White Knights will think back on this game and rue two golden opportunities to score valuable points. Firstly Willie Spies manufactured an opening in the opposition’s defensive wall near their try-line, which resulted in Porties coming within inches of scoring the only try of the match. Earlier they had also turned down a golden opportunity to kick what would have been a three-point sitter for flyhalf Hennie Janse van Rensburg, choosing to run the ball instead.

Port Natal also suffered a huge blow in the second half when inspirational captain Christiaan Prinsloo was forced to leave the field with a deep gash to his cheek. Prinsloo certainly looks like the kind of player that both the Craven Week selectors and Junior scouts should keep an eye on this season, particularly in light of the fact that apart from being a forceful flank, he makes a good hooker as well.

Janse van Rensburg had landed a penalty to hand Port Natal a 3-0 lead at half-time and Campbell wing Lindani Mdlalose levelled matters 12-minutes into the second half.

It was the often cruel luck of the oval ball’s bounce that proved to be Port Natal’s undoing in the end. A wicked bounce from a Campbell kick-and-chase, resulted in a bit of panic at the back and an offence was committed in an attempt to prevent Campbell getting their hands on the ball. Mdlalose stepped up to coolly slot the winning penalty from 40-metres out and as the flags were being raised, the final hooter sounded to mark the end of a thrilling game.

Port Natal coach Jan van Straaten was gracious in defeat. One couldn’t help but sense the optimism in his voice. It sounds like rugby at Port Natal is in good hands and has a bright future ahead. The school and its Night Series sponsors (Damelin) also have to be complimented for putting together a very good rugby festival that was appreciated by decent sized crowds on all match days.

George Campbell Antonie Prinsloo fortunately still had a full crop of hair at the end of the game! The mistakes his side had made could quite easily have led the coach to pull all his hair out. Here to it was evident that George Campbell is working extremely hard behind the scenes on their rugby programme.

Campbell captain Richard van der Westhuizen proved to be a stand out player for his team on the night, always trying to lead by example.

After the game he was clearly delighted with the victory and remarked that his school had been trying for four years to win the trophy. It was finally mission achieved.

The teams:

Port Natal: 15 Anthony Fivaz, 14 Philo Mzileni, 13 Merlyn Pieterse, 12 Le-Roy Younie, 11 Koos Cordier, 10 Hennie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Willie Spies, 8 Werner Heydam, 7 Christiaan Prinsloo (captain), 6 Carlo Hefer, 5 Sarel Kruger, 4 Johan Wiggil, 3 Willem Engelbrecht, 2 Patrick Nolan, 1 George van Niekerk.

George Campbell: 15 Lihle Mazibuko, 14 Sarbido Ntombela, 13 Lindokuhle Ndimande, 12 Jamie Joubert, 11 Lindani lalose, 10 Mondli Nkosi, 9 Devon Koekemoer, 8 Sibulele Nanto, 7 Deon Booysen, 6 Richard van der Westhuizen (captain), 5 Marco de Souza, Johan Smal, 3 Linda Thwala, 2 Tyler Barnard, 1 Renier Mostert.

By Beet

Night Series results:

First XV results:

Round One, 3 February
Port Natal vs Durban Development, 41-5
George Campbell vs Pinetown, 12-3
Northwood vs Glenwood Invitation XV, 7-6

Round Two, 7 February
Port Natal vs Glenwood Invitation XV, 14-12
George Campbell vs Durban Development, 36-0
Northwood vs Pinetown, 20-8

Round Three, 10 February
Glenwood Invitation XV vs Pinetown, 14-0
Northwood vs Durban Development, 40-12
George Campbell vs Port Natal, 8-6

Round Four, 14 February
Port Natal vs Northwood, 15-13
Pinetown vs Durban Development, 15-5
George Campbell vs Glenwood Invitation XV, 20-12

Round Five, 17 February
Glenwood Invitation XV vs Durban Development, 24-0
Port Natal vs Pinetown, 17-0
George Campbell vs Northwood, 8-6

Finals, 24 February
Pinetown vs Durban Development, 22-0
Northwood vs Glenwood Invitation XV, 17-5
George Campbell vs Port Natal, 6-3

Second XV results:

Round One, 3 February
Port Natal School vs Pinetown, 8-5
George Campbell vs Northwood, 7-7

Round Two, 10 February
Port Natal vs Northwood, 10-8
Pinetown vs George Campbell, 7-5

Round Three, 17 February
Northwood vs Pinetown, 26-10
George Campbell vs Port Natal, 10-0

Finals, 24 February
Northwood vs Pinetown, 10-7
George Campbell vs Port Natal, 15-6

The final standings for the 2012 Night Series:
1st George Campbell
2nd Port Natal
3rd Northwood
4th Glenwood Invitation XV
5th Pinetown
6th Durban Development XV

What a tough rugby final. All the schools played exceptional rugby and the close scores can confirm the improvements that have been seen from the first game. The season has just started and this series is an excellent building block for the rest of the year.

Well done to George Campbell that have managed to win both the first and second team finals.

We want to thank all the participating schools for their contribution in making the Damelin night series such a super rugby festival.

By Roberto Cameron

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