House win in Durban
Michaelhouse went to Durban and beat Northwood's enthusiastic Knight 27-11 on Saturday, 17 May 2014.
Michaelhouse made the trip down to Durban North on Saturday prepared to encounter a physical, well prepared Northwood team at home. The windier conditions than the boys from Balgowan are accustomed to did reduce the humidity factor, and with the playing surface in superb condition, the scene was set for a thrilling encounter of schoolboy rugby.
A great deal of pre-match discussion centred on Northwood’s pack of forwards who have carved out a reputation for themselves this season. Northwood’s structured game plan, and the fact that they had beaten Hilton College (away) convincingly the previous weekend would have given the home side reason to anticipate just their second win over Michaelhouse since their first encounter back in 1990.
The first ten minutes of the clash was a dingdong affair as the teams where finding their feet. Michaelhouse then strung some good phases together which resulted in tries from No.8, Matthew Potgieter and fullback, David Broadley. Bader Pretorius, the Michaelhouse flyhalf, was not his usual dependable self as he failed to convert either try. Northwood replied with two penalties just before half-time leaving the visitors 10-6 up at the break.
The work put in during the first half by Michaelhouse's pack, paved the way for their dominance in the second half. A number of injuries did hamper their continuity at stages, but the visitors were nevertheless committed to attacking from all areas of the field. With Michaelhouse helping themselves to five tight heads, it was only committed defence from Northwood that managed to check what would otherwise have been a rout.
In the end, two more tries were scored by Michaelhouse, the first by hard running right wing, Liam Furniss and the second by flyhalf Bader Pretorius who had dusted off his kicking boots during the break to convert both and add a trademark drop goal.
The home side did score an unconverted try in the final stages of the encounter, but it was too little, too late as Michaelhouse ran out deserved 27-11 victors.
Teams
Northwood: 15. Jadon Stevens, 14. Nathan van Wyk, 13. Phiko Sobahle, 12. Sasasa Makhanya, 11. Jabu Mabida, 10. David Weersma, 9. Kuziwa Kazembe, 8. Duncan Macdonald, 7. Calvin Silson, 6. Ross Muil (captain), 5. Shane Kennedy, 4. Greg Slater, 3. Kabelo Motloung, 2. Cameron Silson, 1. Ngoni Chidoma
Michaelhouse: 15. David Broadley, 14. Liam Furniss, 13. Tyran Faber, 12. Brandon Tattam, 11. Jason Schwegmann, 10. Bader-Werner Pretorius, 9. Thomas Walker (captain), 8. Matthew Potgieter, 7. Jack Walters, 6. Zander Prinsloo, 5. Andrew Vogel, 4. Gary Porter, 3. Siyanda Mazibuko, 2. Bradley Roberts, 1. Gregory Jackson
By Murray Witherspoon
