Item win Classic Clash again

Itembelihle made it seven wins in a row on Friday afternoon, defeating arch rivals Ndzondelelo 20-13 in a pulsating match, played in front of about four thousand spectators at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.

The game started with a minutes silence for Itembelihle captain, Athenkosi Maswana, who tragically passed away in taxi accident two weeks ago.

The game was played on a bone hard, dusty field, in blustery conditions which made goalkicking and line-out throws very difficult.

The two teams tested each other early on, with Ndzondelelo flyhalf, Ayanda Hanabe probing for the corners and Itembelihle running the ball at them. Itembelihle were guilty of many mistakes early on in the game, probably because of three weeks of in-action following their captain's untimely death.

Itembelihle were first to score when flyhalf Siya Nyalungu slotted an easy penalty. Ndzondelelo's flyhalf, Ayanda Hanabe, answered with a penalty of his own. Both flyhalves fluffed their next kick at goal but after that they missed nothing!

Itembelihle were first to score a try when centre Raka Moabi (Ndzondelelo's captain in 2011) cut through for a try close to the poles after sustained pressure for Siya Nyalungu to convert, score 10-3,

Ayanda Hanabe struck back just before half-time with an easy penalty to keep them within striking distance.

Itembelihle came out strong in the second half, running every ball at their opponents. Itembelihle were first to score when Siya Nyalungu slotted a penalty to make it 13-6.

Then they scored the try of the match, strong running number eight, Sipho Ngwalangwala broke from his own 22, almost running straight through the whole Ndzondelelo side. When he was stopped on the opponents 22, the ball was quickly recycled and flank Vusumzi Faku crashed over for a try in the left-hand corner. Siya Nyalungu converted the difficult kick to take Itembelihle further ahead.

Itembelihle were now in total control and it seemed as if they were going to run away with the game, but then flank Mbulelo Shuwana was yellow-carded and Ndzondelelo made full use of the extra man when fullback Khanyiso Pini joined the backline on Itembelihle's ten-metre line to race through for a try close to the poles, Ayanda Hanabe made no mistake with the conversion and it was game on again with Ndzondelelo attacking relentlessly, throwing caution to the wind. They camped on the Itembelihle try-line for the last ten minutes of the game and were rather unlucky not to score.

First big No.8 Thandolwethu Mhlaba broke from the back of the scrum and nearly scored but Itembelihle's captain, Lwandile Dabalele tackled him and got his hands on the ball to hold it up. Ndzondelelo then had the perfect opportunity to score but Itembelihle's hooker, Mzi Koyana, had other ideas striking a rare tighthead in the scrum, but instead of kicking the ball away, Itembelihle tried to run themselves out of trouble. They knocked the ball on and it was another Ndzondelelo scrum and they lost another tighthead as Itembelihle scrummed strongly. Again the ball was run and centre Moabi nearly got through, deciding to hang on to the ball, instead of passing it to two open players next to him.

Ndzondelelo attacked from the scrum, Ayanda Hanabe kicked for the corner and Itembelihle were caught in possession again. From the ensuing scrum Ndzonedelelo nearly got over with all their players leaping in the air, but instead they got a penalty against them. Ayanda Hanabe nearly scored from the line-out. When the Itembelihle hooker missed all his jumpers, he scooped the ball up but was stopped inches from the line. The game eventually ended with Ndzondelelo knocking the ball on five metres from the Itembelihle try line.

After the game there was pandemonium as happy Itembelihle supporters swarmed the field to congratulate their heroes. Outstanding for the winner was centre Moabi, number eight Ngwalangwala and scrumhalf Zukisa Mgqukuza and for the visitors Ayanda Hanabe, prop Thabiso Mlindi and Thandolwethu Mhluba stood out.

The scorers:

For Itembelihle:

Tries: Raka Moabi, Vusumzi Faku

Cons: Siya Nyalungu 2

Pens: Nyalungu 2

For Ndzondelelo:

Try: Khanyiso Pini

Cons: Ayanda Hanabe

Pens: Hanabe 2

The teams:

Ndzondelelo: 15 Khanyoso Doyi, 14 Siyanda Moto, 13 Khanyiso Pini, 12 Iviwe Metuto, 11 Siya Mamnkeia, 10 Ayanda Hanabe (vice-captain), 9 Gumede Siyanda, 8 Thandolwethu Mhluba, 7 Siphesihle Maganu, 6 Siphosethu Zigoxo, 5 Xolisa Matshoba, 4 Phumlani Zuthu, 3 Lutho Sikilishe, 2 Zwelibunzi, 1 Thabo Mlindi (captain).

Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Mapipa, 17 Ayabulela Khame, 18 Masixole Kaya, 19 Kholekile Mngakana, 20 Phumelela Mukisi, 21 Zipho Sam Njabulo, 22 Siphosethu Gqumane.

Coaches: Gerald Antonie, T Killer

Itembelihle: 15 Mziwethu Lamani, 14 Ayanda Ngona, 13 Raka Moabi, 12 Lwandile Dabalele (captain), 11 Thabiso Mendu, 10 Bora Mantana, 9 Zukile Mgqukuza, 8 Siya Ngwalangwala, 7 Vusumzi Faku, 6 Mbulelo Shuwana, 5 Athenkosi Faku, 4 Mbulelo Shuwana, 3 Beko Mazana, 2 Mzi Koyana, 1 Attie Vela.

Replacements: 16 Bantu Mene, 17 Luphumlo Nomzanga, 18 AN Other, 19 Siya Nyalungu, 20 Ace Williams, 21 Siya Ntsangani, 22 Sakhumzi Ndamase.

Coach: Theo Pieterse

Referee: Riaan Gayi

By Theo Pieterse