Glenwood too good for DHS

As expected Glenwood beat DHS in the FNB Classic Clash played at Glenwood on Saturday but DHS's resistance to start with was more resilient than expected.

The 133rd meeting between Glenwood and DHS, saw hosts Glenwood winning 38-13, meaning they improve to 54 wins versus DHS’s 68, with 11 draws since the first game in 1922.

During this match, DHS did ever so well to keep the score at 0-0 for the first 33 minutes but after that the floodgates opened and Glenwood scored six tries in 29 minutes before DHS got a consolation try.

The first half produced only 7 points but it was action-packed. A common theme played out in the half. Glenwood would apply attacking pressure, get into the DHS red zone, look like they were about to score from the next phase of play and then DHS would produce a “get out of jail card.” It was all credit to the DHS defence at that state, as the visitors refused to lie down and showed a lot of spirit.

DHS was stuck between a rock and a hard place though. For a start, their own line-out game was under immense pressure, meaning that attacking possession was hard to come by. Territorially they were pressed back and reluctant to attack Glenwood from deep with ball in hand. One of their defensive tactics appeared to revolve around kicking the ball up-field rather than out, possibly in order to prevent Glenwood from gaining a set piece platform to launch a new attack.

However no matter how good these tactical kicks were, they inevitably resulted in the talented Glenwood fullback Morné Joubert, who was the player of the match, getting numerous opportunities to counter-attack with ball in hand. Joubert experienced another nightmare from the kicking tee but as a player carrying the ball up from the back, there are few players as skilful as he is in the country this year. Also standing out for their attacking contributions in the first half were Glenwood left wing Philani Ngcobo, who is going to make a strong claim for Craven Week selection in the weeks to come and underrated openside flank James Venter who seems to be able to get himself into the right place at the right and become more and more prominent as an attacking player as the season goes on.

Glenwood’s opening try came in 34th minute. Philani Ngcobo fielded a highball kick out of danger and brought it back. Soon the ball was in the hands of the dangerous line-breaking Sparks Ngcobo, who has been a revelation at outside centre this season. He got through a hole as he so often does and for the first time in the match, the DHS last line of defence failed as Sparks bounced off the would-be tackler and ran in for a try, making it 7-0 at the break, with inside centre Donny du Randt taking over the kicking duties.

Four minutes into the second half, DHS once again did not find touch with a relieving kick. Soon afterwards, Donny du Randt had the chance to exhibit the invaluable explosiveness he has by getting around his midfield marker with ease and then racing in for the try, making it 12-0.

Glenwood’s fitness and upper body strength proved to be important as their pack took control from here on out.

In the 49th minute, Venter broke through a line-out. The ball went left from there and from a ruck near the DHS line a pick and drive resulted in a try for hooker Percy Mngadi, converted by Du Randt to make it 19-0.

In the 54th minute Glenwood set a line-out out from a penalty and from it, Venter broke on the blindside. Good carries and quick ball resulted in plenty of attacking room on the openside and allowed Sparks to get in for his second try to grow the lead to 24-0.

A minute later Glenwood were pinged for crossing inside their own 22m area and DHS flyhalf Le Roux van Zyl opened their scoring with a penalty, 24-3.

In the 58th minute, Glenwood blindside flank Mac Muller broke the line with a powerful carry after Glenwood had run the ball. Mac could have gone all the way for an outstanding individual effort but chose to unselfishly offload to his scrumhalf Kwazi Khanyile near the try-line. With Donny’s kick it was 31-3.

Three minutes late another Le Roux van Zyl penalty made it 31-6.

Glenwood’s final try came in the 62nd minute. Prop Kenny van Niekerk was instrumental in effecting a turnover near the DHS 22m line and as a result his front-row mate Koos Tredoux had space in front of him. The tighthead backed himself and carried the ball all the way in for a converted try, leaving it at 38-6.

DHS perseverance earned them a late try. From a tap penalty near the try-line, the ball was offloaded and School forced their way over.

Scorers:

For Glenwood:

Tries: Koos Tredoux, Sphamandla Ngcobo 2, Donovan du Rand, Kwazi Khanyile, Philani Ngadi

Cons: Donovan du Rand 4

For DHS:

Try: 1

Pens: Le Roux van Zyl 2

Con: Le Roux van Zyl

Teams

Glenwood: 15. Morné Joubert, 14. Ilunga Mukendi, 13. Sphamandla Ngcobo, 12. Donovan  du Randt, 11. Philiani Ngcobo, 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

DHS: 15. Dillon Bryan, 14. Ndabezinhle Mabaso, 13. Mabhutana Peter, 12. Blessing Buthelezi, 11. Sandile Khumalo, 10. Le Roux van Zyl, 9. Kwandokuhle Ngidi, 8. Mthokozisa Ntuli, 7. Pablo Rees, 6. Dean Roberts, 5. Nkhululeko Ndlovu, 4. Liam Whitfield, 3. Lukhanyo Dlungwana, 2. Aphiwe Febana, 1. Abongile Xoshombe

Replacements: Under-16. Sisanda Ndebele, 17. Mangaliso Mvambo, 18. Luyanda Nadbadaba, 19. Daniel Kriedemann, 20. Gareth Simpson, 21. Michael-John du Plessis, 22. Sandile Biyela

By Mike Vowles

Photos: Darren Tomkins