Ithembelihle blow Ndzondelelo away

 

The New Brighton side outscored their rivals by eight tries to one, keeping Ndzondelelo scoreless in a dominant second half.

 

The dangerous Ithembelihle backline ran the ball from absolutely everywhere as they played into the wind in the first half, but Ndzondelelo had an edge up front with some impressive set-piece work.

 

Ithembelihle got off to a strong start, taking the ball through the phases and protecting it well in contact.

 

Ndzondelelo were awarded the first scrum of the game, but Ithembelihle won a tighthead and it was worked out to right wing Somkela Ndlovu who scored in the corner.

 

From the restart Ithembelihle tries to run the ball from their own tryline and paid the price as Ndzondelelo pounced on a dropped ball, with fullback Yamkelani Qusheka going over in the corner to level the scores at 5-5.

 

It did not take long for Ithembelihle to hit back, with blindside flank Khanyisa Dekeza finding a way through to give his side the lead back.

 

It was not long before they had their third try through some fantastic interplay as flank Aphiwe Ngcatu went on a storming run to break the line, finding good support from lock Olwethu Ngesi who shifted it on to left wing Lutho Mdudo who released outside centre Vumile Sibandile who thundered over the line.

 

Ndzondelelo responded with a penalty from flyhalf Siyanda Mapela just before the half-time break, but those would be their last points of the match.

 

Ithembelihle had the wind at their backs in the second half and they made it count as captain and flyhalf Akho Tshoba kept Ndzondelelo pinned in their own half.

 

Fullback Solomzi Nomzanga played a starring role as Ithembelihle ran their opposition ragged to cruise to a comfortable victory in the end.

 

 

Ndzondelelo: 15 Yamkelani Qusheka, 14 Luvo Batimani, 13 Chulumanco Dladlu, 12 Xolisa Olweyiya, 11 Lukhayo Mashaba, 10 Siyanda Mapela, 9 Athenkosi Simba, 8 Mana Yeza, 7 Masixole Kaya, 6 Akhona Mabhele, 5 Xolisa Mema, 4 Asekhona Mandaba, 3 Thanduxolo Bulo, 2 Mziwakhe Mjacu (captain), 1 Okuhle Khame.

Replacements: 16 Camagu Ngcayisa, 17 Khanya Makhubalo, 18 Zukisani Budaza, 19 Mziwamadoda Andwayana, 20 Siboleka Makhwapheni, 21 Dumisani Manga, 22 Xabiso Bobani.

 

Ithembelihle: 15 Solomzi Nomzanga, 14 Somkelo Ndlovu, 13 Vumile Sibandile, 12 Ntsigo Fumba, 11 Lutho Mdudo, 10 Akho Tshoba (captain), 9 Bathandwa Matrose, 8 Khanyisa Dekeza, 7 Ayabonga Mbambisa, 6 Aphiwe Ngcatu, 5 Olwethu Ngesi, 4 Khanyisa Maxamba, 3 Wiseman Sotsoe, 2 Lubabalo Maqoma, 1 Sinoxolo Sihoyiya.

Replacements: 16 Ayabonga Mayigcwale, 17 Sothembiso Maxhontwana, 18 Sibusiso Maduna, 19 Luyola Sishuta, 20 Katiso Mohau, 21 Thabo Matiso, 22 Khanya Mlumbi.

 

Referee: Rodney Bonaparte