Glenwood battle in Krugersdorp

This weekend saw Glenwood travel up to Monument Hoërskool, a game which formed part of the annual Premier Inter-schools derby.

Much was expected of this game as both teams have had their position in the top 10 rankings firmly cemented this year.

The game got off to a high tempo start with Glenwood seeming to win the opening exchanges.

A few minutes after kick-off a scrum was awarded to the visitors five metres from the Monument try-line. Glenwood's eighthman, Jaco Coetzee, picked up from the base and went hard at the line, out-sprinting the cover defence. He crossed over the try line to open his team's account as Curtis Jonas did the rest and converted to extend the lead to 7-0.

Monument was quick to respond when they were awarded a penalty inside the Glenwood 22m line just on the 10 minute mark. Monument tapped and set-up a rolling maul which they drove over the try-line and scored to even up the game at 7-7.

The Monument forwards slowly started to take control of the game as they dominated the set piece and much of the breakdown. Their possession advantage was given just reward as they slotted two long-range penalties to extend the lead to 13-7.

Glenwood responded just before the stroke of half-time as they attacked wide from a right-hand scrum and scored a great try through some enterprising backline play. The conversion was unsuccessful as the teams went into the half with Monument leading 13-12.

Much of the second half saw Monument continue their forward dominance as they slowly began to make inroads into the Glenwood defence. A try by their inside centre just on the 45 minute mark and another by their eighthman on the 52nd minute mark was enough to seal a win for the home team. Poor defence and lapses in concentration cost the Glenwood side that have prided themselves on solid defence this year. With 20 minutes to go Monument led 30-12.

Glenwood showed great character to come back late in the game and were rewarded with a try by Sphamandla Ngcobo, their outside centre, as he completed a line break from deep within his teams own half.

The try was converted by Jonas as the final whistle went. Monument walked away victorious on the day with the end score sitting at 30-19.

Scorers:

For Monnas:

Tries: Gavin Delport, Ernst Beumer, Juan Lemmer

Cons: Wikus van Biljon 3

Pens: Wikus van Biljon 2

Drop: Stefan Fitzgerald

For Glenwood:

Tries: Jaco Coetzee, Ilunga Mukendi, Sphamandla Ngcobo

Cons: Curtis Jonas 2

Teams

Monument: 15. Goodman Mkwanazi, 14. Josh Swanepoel, 13. Ashley Carr, 12. Ernst Beumer, 11. Armandt Grobler, 10. Wikus van Biljon, 9 Stefan Fitzgerald, 8. Juan Lemmer, 7. Len Massyn, 6. Gavin Delport (captain), 5. Reinhardt Nothnagel, 4. Rhyno Herbst, 3. Jaco Holtzhausen, 2. Vean Roodt, 1. Kevin Booth

Replacements: 16. Justin Brandon, 17. Jaco Smith, 18. Francois Naudé, 19. Hendri Lloyd, 20. Jacques Joubert, 21. Odwa Nkunjana, 22. Waldo Kriel, 23. Dylan Wood

Coaches: Hans Coetzee, Jan van Staden

Glenwood: 15. Morné Joubert, 14. Donovan  du Randt, 13. Sphamandla Ngcobo, 12. Ruben Fouché, 11. Ilunga Mukendi, 10. Curtis Jonas, 9.  Kwazi Khanyile, 8. Jaco Coetzee, 7.  McMillan  Muller, 6.  James Venter, 5.  Ruan  Desmore, 4.  Kevin du Randt (captain), 3.  Koos Tredoux, 2.  Percy Mngadi, 1.  Kenny van Niekerk

Coaches: Rudi Dames, Mike Vowles

By Michael Vowles

Photos: Gareth Sedgbeer-Williams