Michaelhouse's Rugby Round-up
Michaelhouse travelled to Northwood this past weekend to contest a packed programme of winter sports fixtures.
Michaelhouse’s rugby–playing lads would have disembarked in a quietly confident frame of mind, riding the wave of some confident recent performances. House’s Under-14C unit fell short of making it a hat-trick of wins in as many weekends, going down 12-24, while the Under-14A boys couldn’t find their feet with forced positional changes and the absence of some key ball-carriers, losing 14-24.
Northwood’s powerful Under-15 age group also managed a clean sweep over the visitors although their A side didn’t have it all their way. Their 52-0 demolition of Michaelhouse in Under-14 must have felt a lifetime away as they were forced to work for their 31-7 win.
Michaelhouse were dominant in the Under-16 category, although the B side had to be content with an uncompromising 14-14 draw. The House Under-16A unit continued their dizzying upward trajectory under coach Sam Mofokeng this year, converting their tight 28-24 win in Under-15 into a 53-0 rout of Northwood.
Although two open age-group fixtures were cancelled, honours were shared with House enjoying comfortable wins in the sixth, fifth and third team fixtures. Northwood’s second XV cruised to a composed 37-7 win.
A young Michaelhouse first XV floundered in the leadership vacuum created in the absence of both their captain and vice captain on Saturday. Regardless, Michaelhouse engaged with Northwood in what has become their hallmark high tempo fashion and were able to fluster the home side into giving away penalties. Northwood capitalised on their only visit into opposition territory in the first half creating the try scoring opportunity which earned them a slender 7-6 lead at the interval. Michaelhouse’s composure wilted after mercurial full back, Luc Pousson left the field in the aftermath of an aerial challenge.
Northwood sensed blood in the water as Michaelhouse fell victim to some poor decision-making and the home side closed the game for their second win over Michaelhouse in their 25 starts since 1990. Equanimity won the day for Northwood’s deserved 20-13 win.
Sent by Murray Witherspoon
