Itembelihle win FNB Classic
Itembelihle won the Zwide FNB Classic Clash at New Brighton Oval on Friday by a single point. It was the same score as 2013's but with a different winner. The ending was bizarre.
We won a hard fought battle 14-13 against Ndzondelelo (half time 14-8). This was a bizarre game, it started more than a half an hour late as there were arguments over the eligibility of certain Ndzondelelo players (too young!).
The game eventually got under way, with a strong wind blowing across the field! We had early momentum and trapped them in their 22 for the first ten minutes, but too many handling errors and a whistle-happy referee made the going tough.
They eventually worked their way into our half with their flank Siphesihle Magawu proving to be a handful, as it took two to three of my players to put him down. They were eventually awarded a penalty in our 22 which their fullback easily converted.
We erred from the kick off, putting it out directly and handing easy possession to them. Flank Magawu was again prominent, as he took his side forward, and from a ruck on our goal-line, their scrumhalf sneaked through for a try. They missed the easy conversion.
This spurred us on and we settled down, hanging on to the ball, and made our way deep into their half, before the touch judge (their Under-16 coach!) held his flag out, and my hooker, Saro Mapekula was yellow carded!
They made a mistake by not kicking out and fullback Sima Mcwabeni went on the attack, we set up many phases and advanced into their 22 where they were penalised, from the tap penalty, flyhalf Akho Tshoba,(who was having a good game) took the ball forward, stopping their drift defence, and off loaded at the right time. The ball went wide to wing Somkelo Ndlovu, who shrugged off his opponent and outpaced the defence for a try close to the poles, converted by wing Ayabonga Mteto.
This spurred my side on, and big prop, Zubenathi Sixonxo, was prominent in taking the ball up for us. We attacked from a line-out in their 22, and flyhalf, Akho Tshobs scored the try of the match when he simply sidestepped right through their whole team for a try next to the poles, Mteto converted and half-time broke.
After half-time, it was a ding-dong battle, Magawu was now well watched and put down every time he touched the ball. Our No. 8, Siya Charlie was now prominent in many moves as we attacked, but made too many mistakes and handed over the ball to them. Play swung from one end of the field to the other, we were unlucky not to score as flank Sedge Teyisi cut through the defence and wing Gift Mdudo, knocked the ball on with an open try line in front of him!
They then they got into our half, after a number of penalties, they attacked and crossed the line in the corner, but the wing lost the ball over the line. We struggled to get out of our 22 in the last 10 minutes as they camped on our line, and the referee penalised us with free kicks and penalties. They eventually scored in the corner with the last move of the game, and then chaos broke out, the crowd surged onto the field, and had to be chased off. Their scrumhalf lined up for the difficult conversion, am Itembelihle player was on the ground, injured, the referee walked over to check on him, and their kicker picked up the kicking tee, and walked about two metres in field, this incensed the Itembelihle players, and they stormed up, putting the kicking tee back where it belonged! The referee was not happy, and then told him to take the kick from the correct spot, he did, but took his time, when he moved to kick, my players were on him and kicked the ball away, the referee said he had enough time and ended the game!
There were scenes of jubilation as the big crowd of almost 3000 celebrated. Of course, the hooligans struck, stealing water bottles and eventually stoning the Ndzondelelo bus!
Outstanding for us, was man of the match, flyhalf Akho Tshobs, hard working No.8 Charlie, fullback, Mcwabeni and prop Sixonxo. For them, Magavu and his fellow loose forwards were great.
Teams
Itembelihle: 15. Simamkele Mcwabeni, 14. Samkelo Ndlovu, 13. Tyson Smondile, 12. Khanyiso Pini (captain), 11. Ayabonga Mteto, 10. Akho Tshoba, 9. Skululi Mafu, 8. Siya Charlie, 7. Sedge Teyise, 6. Sbongile Nqweniso, 5. Athi Faku, 4. Mbulelo Shuwana, 3. Zubenathi Soxonxo, 2. Sandisa Mapekula, 1. Sinoxolo Sihoyiya
Replacements: 16. Lukhanyo Dekezsa, 17. Lubabalo Maqoma, 18. W Zali, 19. Slovo Dzaka, 20. Nkosinathi Jozi, 21. Tibusiso Maduna, 22. Luntu April
Ndzondelelo: 15. Maloyi Bongani, 14. Doyi Khanyiso, 13. Makisi Phumelela, 12. Mekuto Ivewe, 11. Matodlana Masixole, 10. Ngcaba Siyabonga, 9. Hanabe Vusikhaya, 8. Kaya Masixole, 7. Ngcoza Olwethu, 6. Magawu Siphosihle (captain), 5. Zatu Ntembeko, 4. Sana Abongile, 3. Ngcayisa Nkululeko, 2. Mjacu Mziwakhe (vice-captain), 1. Nduku Mava
Replacements: Under-16. Khame Okuhle, 17. Sidumo Lazola, 18. Ngam Athenkosi, 19. Vezile Vuyolwethu, 20. Dyantyi Yamnkelani, 21. Mzantsi Siyabonga, 22. Mali Phumalani
Referee: Johnathan Mouwers (Eastern Province Referees' Society)
By Theo Pieterse of Itembelihle
