Huge Michaelhouse Win
Michaelhouse continued on their winning ways when they went down to Durban and beat DHS 54-6 on Saturday.
Durban’s trademark heat came as quite a shock for the boys from Balgowan who left the Midlands in single-figure temperatures; but neither the conditions nor the four changes to the starting XV that had beaten Hilton College the weekend before had any effect on the scintillating brand of rugby being played by Michaelhouse during 2015.
Only Hilton and Maritzburg Colleges have squared off against Michaelhouse more often on the rugby field, and the 121st clash between Michaelhouse and DHS proved to be an exhilarating one for supporters of the Red and White who made it seven wins from seven starts this year.
The visitors were soon on the scoreboard with three penalties by flyhalf Bader Pretorius. DHS then replied when an infringement by Michaelhouse was punished with a successful penalty attempt. The Michaelhouse forwards started to get the upper hand in the middle of the first half and a great scrum close to the DHS try-line lead to a try and conversion by Pretorius. DHS quickly replied with three more points taking the score just minutes before the break to 16-6 to Michaelhouse. Excellent work by the now cohesive Michaelhouse pack of forwards lead to an unconverted try by Mulalo Sadiki, who shifting from No.8 was covering at lock for the day. Half-time score 21-6 to Michaelhouse.
A rejuvenated DHS came out firing in the second half. Michaelhouse weathered the storm and then gained control of the possession which saw a quantum shift in momentum.
The Michaelhouse three quarters, making good use of their forwards' ascendency and quality ball from first phase and the breakdowns, ran in a further five tries scored by centre Ryan Anderson (2), Chris Dowsley (flank), Liam Furniss (centre) and Bader Pretorius. Pretorius converted four of the tries for a personal points' tally of 29 for the game.
Final score Michaelhouse 54, DHS 6
From Murray Witherspoon
