Muir's success in East London
The biannual Cambridge Sports festival kicked-off during the June/July holidays and Muir’s first fixture was against Stirling High School, a local school from East London.
vs Stirling
This fixture saw Muir run our 17-11 victors in a tight encounter between these two schools. At the break both teams where locked at 3-3.
Muir drew first blood when scrumhalf Joel Wates kicked a penalty to take the lead. Stirling hit back through a penalty by their right wing. Both teams defended well during the half to keep the score level. Conditions under foot where not conducive to 'stepping' and both teams ran good angles to cross the advantage line. Both teams had opportunist to take the lead but poor decision-making and the final pass resulted in their not putting point on the board.
The second half saw both teams run the ball to gain advantage and entertain the spectators. Muir’s lock and captain Lutho Njobe ran hard off a ruck close to the line to score the first try of the game with the result that Muir took the lead. Joel Wates kicked the conversion.
Stirling applied pressure in Muir’s 22-metre area forcing a mistake and allowing them to capitalised and narrow Muir’s lead. Stirling then got the upperhand and took the lead when they kicked a penalty through their right wing. Muir forced Stirling to make a mistake to gain and keep possession. Good interplay between backs a forwards, running from depth and setting up the phases allowed Muir to gain the upper hand. As a result Njobe forced his way over the line, Joel Wates kicked the conversion to put Muir well in the lead.
Muir’s tight five worked well together to gain and retain possession for the team. Lock Lutho Njobe and flank Conor Spillane stood out for the forwards. The Wates brother Joel and Darren ran well at 9 and 10, while Rob Connolly was solid at the back, both on defence and attack.
The scorers:
For Muir:
Tries: Lutho Njobe 2
Cons: Joel Wates 2
Pen: Wates
For Stirling:
Try: Left wing
Pens: Right wing 2
vs Hillcrest
Muir’s second game at the Cambridge Festival saw them run in six tries and convincingly beating Hillcrest College 39-17. At half-time Muir narrowly lead 15-12.
First blood went to Muir when flyhalf Darren Wates saw a gap in the defensive line and explained it to Muir advantage and dot down. Hillcrest made use of their big forwards and sucked in Muir’s defensive line to free up their back and saw their left wing cross the line, he scored twice in the half. These two quick tries saw Hillcrest take the lead. Muir narrowed their lead when scrumhalf Joel Wates kicked a penalty. Muir’s back’s ran with purpose crossed the advantage line, put ball on foot and saw left wing Neo Mehlwana collect to dot down under the sticks, Joel Wates converted.
Muir was now back in the lead going into the break.
Hillcrest rang some changes and was beneficial as their eighthman crossed the line to regain the lead. This lead was short-lived when replacement fullback Michael Manefeldt did a 'show and go' and crossed in the right corner putting Muir ahead. This try change the whole game as Muir now upped the intensity of play leaving Hillcrest behind. They ran in a further three tries through 8th-man Luxolo Koza, replacement 15 Manefeldt and replacement centre Jonathan Dos Santos. Joel Wates kicked two conversions. This put the game totally out of Hillcrest’s reach.
Prop Blake Callahan had a solid game upfront and worked hard in the loose. Flanks Ray Triegaard and Conor Spillane forced numerous turn-overs from which Muir attacked.
Darren Wates “generalled” the backline well giving Muir’s backs room to move. Other backs that put their “hands-up” were centre Xolela Daniels, wing Luke Terblance and fullback/centre Rob Connolly.
The scorers:
For Muir:
Tries: Darren Wates, Neo Mehlwana, Michael Manefeldt, Loxolo Kosa, Jonathan Dos Santos
Cons: Joel Wates 3
Pen: Waters
For Hillcrest:
Tries: Left wing 2, eighthman
Con: Right wing
By Lyntin Gouws
