MICHAELHOUSE
Craig Joubert… distinguished member of the KZN10… We salute you
IT’S going to be a hectic, emotional roller-coaster weekend for internationally-renowned rugby referee Craig Joubert. First up, the Maritzburg College Old Boy is guest speaker at the Friday evening St Charles College Old Boys’ Dinner – a polished, entertaining address is certain from this accomplished man – before his final appearance as a rugby ref on Graeme Gilfillan Field 3pm Saturday – the landmark 200th Hilton College/Michaelhouse first XV match in the 115-year term of this remarkable rugby rivalry – and a match that has a special, personal meaning to Craig… More about that later… Before this widely respected, popular son of the KZN capital enjoys welcome down time with mates in the incomparable KZN midlands.
Featured image… “NO, NOT THIS TIME RICHIE…”
KZN10.com asked Craig to tell us more.
“Thanks Jono, it’s great to make my debut on KZN10.com!
“A couple of thoughts… I started refereeing in Maritzburg because I loved the game; schoolboy rugby was a massive part of my early rugby-and-refereeing life – and throughout my career.
“I have always tried to continue to referee schoolboy rugby whenever my schedule has allowed. The Hilton vs Michaelhouse game is a very special schoolboy rivalry and early in my career both schools were generous in welcoming me, as a schoolboy myself, in refereeing the 2nd XV fixture on this day.
“Unbeknown to me at the time, it would also be the last time I would see my late dad (Des) referee, as he did the 1st XV game before falling ill soon afterwards.
PROUD DAD… INSPIRED SON… World-renowned international rugby referee Craig Joubert and his mentor, his father Des, in the embryonic stage of the Craig Joubert success story.
“As I now stand in the twilight of my refereeing career and look forward to an exciting future with World Rugby – coaching and mentoring the Sevens World Series referees through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games – I am thrilled that my schedule has allowed me to referee this fixture as the final game of my career (and with thanks to the Midlands Referees’ Society, with whom I have always maintained my membership, for the appointment).
“I love what a great rivalry these 2 schools have – and the privilege to have been involved in a few of these contests over the years. It seems right that I run out on the same field – and to referee the same game – as my final act as a referee, as what my dad did so many years ago.
“I can’t wait.”
… Wow … Craig, I’m a bit of an emotional bunny… shed a tear at the mere hint of a hospital pass… but the way you expressed this closing chapter of your on-field action… I had to reach for the KZN10.com tissue box.
Thanks mate.
Enjoy every moment.
Hilton vs Michaelhouse epics 88-90 – Hentie Martens remembers!
HENTIE Martens needs no introduction – Michaelhouse Old Boys remember as if it was yesterday THE phenomenal Hentie try for Hilton College against their old friends. The former Springbok scrumhalf deflected my questions re: The try, and referred to the contribution of his team-mates. I invite those who were there to describe it… There was no way I could get it out of one of the most down-to-earth, humble guys you’ll ever meet. Hentie won 4 from 5 of his first XV derbies with Michaelhouse. Here’s the farmer’s (reluctant) story.
Featured image: Hentie clears in his Hilton Michaelhouse maestro performance on Gilfillans 1989.
“Thanks Jono, great to be on KZN10.com and long may it continue. I was fortunate enough to play 11 times against Michaelhouse – 5 times for the Hilton1st team. One game in 1989 to be held at MHS was called off as a result of flu.
“MHS boys claimed that we chickened out of course! All 11 games against MHS were played in the best of spirits and the crowds were unbelievable. Our war cries were not much to talk about, maybe as a result of there being no smartphones to video!
“The only chants we used to hear were ‘HI- LT-ON-Hilton!’ and ‘JUMP JUMP JUMP!’
“The first game in 1988 was at MHS. MHS had players Kelvin Strachan and Murray John Wilson, Hilton were pretty much the underdogs as we had no real stars but were as usual very motivated for the game.
“Murray John was my direct opposition and Natal schools scrumhalf. I wanted to make an impression.
“I can still clearly remember Nick Davies throwing me around like a piece of old dried khaki bos. Hilton won on Meadows 26-10 and one of the star players was Proteas cricketer Derek Crookes. In the return game on Gilfillan it was a hard-fought battle.
“We had one of the best flanks I know, Gary Fyvie. Gary was inspirational to the whole team throughout the season and this Hilton MHS was no different. Derek kicked 5 penalties and we won 15-10.
The Hilton College first XV Class of 1989.
“1989 saw only one Hilton MHS and that took place at Hilton. MHS had a well-balanced side and good loose forwards with Alfie Messenger, Scott Kimble and ‘The Dog’ Geppy Armstrong.
“Alfie was one of their star players and also represented Natal Schools together with Mark Armstrong who was scrumhalf.
“Hilton also boasted with 5 Natal Schools players in the likes of Jason Dent, Deon von Benecke, Russell Leahy and I. Tries only being 4 points, which saw most of the games being close. Hilton snuck in again and some would say the ref was on our side; however the late Ian Rogers was a World Cup referee. Final score 16-6.
“In 1990 it was a totally different story. We had 5 Natal schools players (Chris Bowley, Damon Thomas, Wayne Fyvie, and Hentie Martens Dave Oxenham) and MHS had Brett Davidson and Chubby Chabana, who was the MHS Captain. Who knows what happened on Meadows.
“Before we wiped the you-know-what out of our eyes we had lost. The second team also lost.
“For many Hilton boys in our age group it was first loss against MHS in our school career. Gutted!!
“For the next month we were all in mourning. We could not wait to get back at MHS.
“The second game on Gilfillan we were as motivated as can be. The night before the game I snuck out of the house and went to the centre spot on Gilfillan and reflected on my years at Hilton. What an honour!
“The next day we redeemed ourselves and every 1st team boy had the game of his life. Wayne Fyvie was as usual exceptional. I happened to be in the right place at the right time and was lucky to get a couple of tries. Hilton won 25-6.
“In all three of those years the scrumhalf held a key position and in 1990 Stu Porrill needs to be mentioned as he was superb at Meadows.
“I need to thank my late dad whom I am sure everyone remembers with the yellow hat and video machine at every game that I played.
“In case the memory falters I can always refer to the videos!
“It certainly was an honour and privilege to have been involved in such special rivalry between 2 great schools.”
WOW! Hentie, thank you and thank you. Sent shivers down the KZN10.com spine.
Bring on Super Saturday, 16 June 2018 on Graeme Gilfillan field at Hilton College. THE 200th MATCH!
HENTIE MISCELLANEOUS
* In 1993, 4 years after finishing his auspicious times at Hilton College (Class of 1989) Hentie Martens became the 598th Springbok.
* English Premier League club Bath RFC have had fellow KZN10-schooled players in Butch James, Peter Dixon (both Maritzburg College), Matt Stevens (Kearsney) and Hentie Martens (Hilton).
Mucha Match Action ahead in KZN10 Fri Nite Super Saturday Fixtures
MIGHT be Comrades weekend but there’s still much to savour in KZN10 rugga/hockey match action across the golden province & on the Highveld. Prince and the Saints entertain Hilton College on Old Orchards, Maritzburg College are Highway-bound to Westville (Old Boys Day) on Bowdens, Clifton College make the climb to Michaelhouse on Meadows and Kearsney College trek to St Benedicts & Jeppe. It’s a free weekend for Glenwood and DHS while the Knights of Durban North have concluded their rugby and hockey seasons.
TRY-TIME… Maritzburg College’s elusive centre Nkondlo Radebe in full flight on Meadows last Saturday.
Photo Martin Ashworth
SELECTED FIXTURES
@ St Charles (vs Hilton)
Saturday
1sts Hockey – 11h15 (Saints Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 13h45 (Old Orchards)
@ Michaelhouse (vs Clifton)
Saturday
1sts Hockey – 11h45 (Aitkens Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 14h00 (Meadows)
@ Westville (vs Maritzburg College)
1sts Hockey – 11h45 (WBHS Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 14h30 (Bowdens)
@ St Benedicts & Jeppe (vs Kearsney)
Friday
1sts Hockey (vs St Benedicts) – 18h30
Saturday
1sts Hockey (vs Jeppe) – 10h45
1st XV Rugby (vs St Benedicts) – 10h30
‘Sandles my boy, keep kicking over their heads, Maritzburg College don’t like it’
WHEN asked about the Michaelhouse first XV vs Maritzburg College match circa 1993 it was like House flyhalf Sandile Koza had played in it yesterday… yet it was a full quarter of a century ago. Here on Meadows as I write, we are just 35 minutes away from Game Time 2018.
“Thanks Jono,” says Sandile, “for asking me about a day I will never, ever, forget… the day we beat the ‘unbeatables’… what was touted to be one of the best sides ever produced by Maritzburg College – comprising of revered players like Clint Bruyns and Matt Frank, on Goldstones, in 1993.|
“In the 1993 rugby season only two 1st XV teams remained unbeaten in the local KZN schools rugby calendar. It was MHS and Maritzburg College.
“MHS had a few close encounters in which we ultimately emerged victorious, whilst that 93 Maritzburg College side absolutely demolished everyone in their path. Just the previous weekend we had watched them, in preparation for our game, demolish Hilton 63-0.
“You could sense the nerves and tension in our camp from the end of the Thursday afternoon practice on Meadows, when we were well aware that this dreaded encounter was merely 48 hours away. We had an inspirational and great coach in Garth ‘Gilo’ Giles who completely believed we could defeat this talent-filled College team on their formidable home ground… Goldstones…
“What stands out the most for me on that day was the sheer intimidation before the game, brought on by the size of the crowd who had gathered at Goldstones that afternoon. I was informed years later by my then business partner, that there were an estimated 10 000 people who came to watch that game. A record for school rugby attendance at the time.|
“The second moment that sticks in my mind vividly to this day was the smell of tiger balm that hung in the air in the change room as we were about to run onto Goldstones with coach Gilo shouting at the top of his voice as we approached the change room doors, ‘Your Blood is Red and White!!!!’
“We had a bit of a defence game plan in the first half as Gilo had instructed us to keep them going backwards. ‘Sandles my boy just keep kicking those low balls over their heads and chase. They don’t like that.’
“I was playing at flyhalf against Clint Bruyns – a very short yet cunning and skilled attacker – who had played Natal Schools for the two years prior. I can’t recall the score at half-time. But we had managed to keep the game tight and were only a few points behind.
“The second half was also a scorcher. Our fitness levels helped us maintain the momentum and I believe ultimately was the game decider. With the time almost up on the clock and College leading 11-7 (tries were 4 points then) I broke blind and passed to our right winger, Ed Frey.
“With limited space to manoeuvre Ed kicked the ball down into the College 22 and it landed in the dead ball area. As the College fullback walked nonchalantly towards the ball and proceeded to kick the ball over the dead ball line – as we chased on in desperation – the feeling had sunk in that we had lost this one.
“As gallantly as we had fought, they (the Red, Black and White) were just way better than us. To my surprise the referee called a 5-metre scrum to Michaelhouse as he said there was another 30 seconds on his clock.
“ ‘Michaelhouse ball!’ was the ref’s call. We scrummed, dominated the scrum and I cringed – being the over-eager backline player who thought that, as the backs, we should take it home for the team – when the ball landed under our open-side flanker Steve Macquet’s feet and I saw him pick it up and charge…
“Steve had made the right call and he bulldozed the College defence and dotted down the ball for a try. It was an unbelievable feeling! It was now 11-11. We had not won, but I was happy with a draw against this side on Goldstones… Any day!
“The ball was thrown to me as the place-kicker and a senior player… I couldn’t. I simply couldn’t, and called on Gordon Homer ‘Home Boy’, our fullback – who was also a year younger – to take the kick for the win.
“As cool as a cucumber ‘Home Boy’ slotted that ball right between the horns. The referee blew the final whistle. The picture tells the rest of the story. Wow. What a day, what a moment. Our blood was red and white indeed! More especially, we made Gilo the happiest coach in the world.
“Thanks Jono, hope this was what you were looking for…”
Indeed, yes indeed, Sandles… What an evocative description – I felt as if I was at the game, watching the game. On behalf of KZN10.com I say thank you, thank you Squire… You are an Officer and a Gentleman.
Featured image: Sandles with arms aloft is fully into the Michaelhouse celebrations after a famous win on Goldstones 25 years ago.
Michaelhouse loonies, Maritzburg College, the Baines House boys & more
Saturday: Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College – Memories in the making
AT 3pm Saturday, 2 June 2018 the Michaelhouse first XV face Maritzburg College on Meadows.
KZN10.com asked Will Hardie to dig deep in the fog-enshrouded mists of time about his match.
“Hi Jono, the score was 25-6 on Goldstones back in 1985. Old BoysDay on Goldstones at College.
The Michaelhouse loonies (didn’t ask Will if that was a typo on his part but I asked myself: ‘Self, why you want to tamper with such an appropriate term for a loose forward trio? It is so appropriate for the DHS loose trio – Chris Farrant, Shaun Cross et al – who terrorised you (me) back in the day.”
Featured image: The 1985 Michaelhouse first XV
Ahem, enough of that… Let’s get back to Will’s tale:
Will Hardie is Meadows airborne, Sean Stringer sweeps, Bruce Herbert and Simon Camerer support;
“The Michaelhouse loonies were number 8 Rich Firth, flanks Simon Camerer and Wayne Witherspoon (capt and head boy). I had moved to lock for the ’85 season. Our packs were actually similar size – their captain was lock Arve Arntzen – but the difference was the Maritzburg College backline – Joel Stransky, Shaun Glover, Jem Thompson, Kevin Smith, Vos … Except we did have flyhalf/fullback Victor Anderson (Natal Schools ‘84 and ‘85) and scrumhalf James Wilson (also Nat Schools ‘84 – and ‘85, I think) which did help our cause a little.”
* Will’s son Chris, the regular House inside centre and first XI top-order batsman, hurt his back last week and will miss out on a match that every MHS matric boy wishes to play in, in his last school year.
The Michaelhouse first XV of 1985 played 18 won 11 lost 7 points for 263 against 222. “The closing games involved more of the consistency we were looking for. It was great fun,” says Will.
“This great bunch is now spread far and wide,” says Victor Anderson – a brilliant schoolboy sportsman. “Gordon Paterson – he was our legendary rugby coach in U14A and 1st team – incidentally, who started his coaching/teaching career at Maritzburg College and was a bit of a chip off the old block of the now legendary Skonk Nicholson) and Rich Pithey are in the Land of the Long White Cloud (New Zealand), I am in London and the rest, as far as I know, are all over South Africa.”
Flyhalf whizz kid Victor Anderson has a pot at the posts, in the MHS first XV Class of 85’s last match on Meadows… a 36-9 win over a St Andrews Grahamstown team that experienced a tough time with injuries.
Victor Anderson… “It looks like the three Baines House (Firth, Hardie and Stringer) boys with their hands on their hips are discussing whose picnic they’re going to plunder after the game. Actually, this was a mid-week game which meant it was straight back to the Memorial Hall for supper.”
Sean Stringer says: “Dead right! But with the number of cars in the background it looks like we were in for slim pickings.”
Mike Jeffery, Kurt Paetzold and Nick Van Beeck are sadly no longer with us but will no doubt be watching the match action on Meadows from up above with great nostalgia and memories of special times with special mates.
Thanks Will, Victor, Sean… Great memories.
For the House first XV Class of 2018 the memories of tomorrow’s match will, just like those of their 85 predecessors, linger for 33 years and longer. In the Year 20051 they’ll no doubt remember tomorrow’s match with the same clarity as Will and Co recall the happening of 1985.
That is the true magic of KZN10 schoolboy sport.
Date: 2 June 2018
Venue: Meadows
Kick-off: 3pm
Michaelhouse first XV vs Maritzburg College
- Andrew Holt
- Mpho Mthethwa
- Brandon Jewell
- Dan Dillon
- Seun Afolayan
- Christian Opperman (capt)
- Torin Mecklenborg
- James Kiln
- Lance Reynolds
- Luc Pousson
- Toby Versfeld
- Thamsanqa Zakwe
- Dane Fisher (vice-capt)
- Michael Gomes
- Michael Brownlee
- Matthew Holt (sub)
- Liam Friend (sub)
- Luke Taylor (sub)
- James Armstrong (sub)
- Andrew Daly (sub)
- Liam England (sub)
- Philip Thomas (sub)
First XV rugby: Udo unearths Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College 1986
SUPER SATURDAY 2 June 2018 at 3pm…. The theatre is Meadows at Michaelhouse… It’s House vs Maritzburg College first XV…
1987 Maritzburg College & SA Schools flyhalf and wicketkeeper/batsman Udo Goedeke – one of the handful of dual SA Schools rugby players and cricketers (the Red Black and White have 3 – Udo, Mally Thompson and Adrian Penzhorn) tells KZN10.com about the 1986 Meadows muscle-up as if it happened yesterday:
Featured image
THE FLYHALVES’ GARDEN: Udo Goedeke and son Kent earlier this year. Kent will be playing 10 for the Maritzburg College U16A’s vs coach Andre van Wyk’s Michaelhouse line-up at 12.30pm on Meadows tomorrow.
“Michaelhouse have always been great opposition… fair, clean… we’ve had lots of fun.
“Playing them on Meadows in 86, Michaelhouse had a strong team – 5 or 6 Natal Schools’ players – and were certainly the favourites. I think they sensed victory and all their regulars were keen to play. Injury and illness meant quite a few had to pass late fitness tests.
“It was very close at halftime – we lead 9-6… The second half was incredible… centre (SA Schools and later Natal and Transvaal) Jeremy Thompson really turned it on for us, it turned into the Jeremy Thompson Show – he ripped their defence apart.
“The College team’s contribution was awesome… It was a massive second half for us… To be fair I think the Michaelhouse injury and illness concerns pre-game was a contributing factor – they faded badly in that second half.
My opposing 10 was Mark Olivier, a very good all-round sportsman. We had lots of friendly tussles on the cricket and rugby fields.
“That was 32 years ago. A lot of the Michaelhouse/Maritzburg College guys that year are still good mates… That’s what is so special about KZN schoolboy sport, brings people together, long may it continue.
“Here’s to wishing all the Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College boys – whatever the team and whether rugby or hockey – everything of the best tomorrow.”
Thanks Udo – spoken like the sportsman you are; a guy who appreciates & understands the real value of sport.
Coach quotes: Michaelhouse vs Hilton College match & more
IT was an absolute humdinger that did justice to the age-old Hilton/Michaelhouse first XV rugby rivalry. Home side House, who began the season slowly, went into the match on Meadows Saturday 5 May 2018 as marked underdogs against a Hilton who’d won 8 from 8. And yes, Hilton led start to finish, from 10-0 half-time to 23-5 , 2 tries to 1. You had to be there, though, to appreciate that the HC win wasn’t as straightforward as the statistics might suggest.
Featured image: Michaelhouse flyhalf Liam England makes his move against Hilton loosehead Dylan Davies (1) and opposite number Ruan Wilmans.
Photo Thomas van der Hoven
Hilton College first XV head coach Brad Macleod-Henderson offers his thoughts:
“In the first half we didn’t play too badly but our handling let us down, opportunities we didn’t take.
Brad’s impressions of the Michaelhouse performance?
Looking ahead to Saturday, Brad says: “We haven’t played PBHS before, it’s a new fixture, so it’s great for the school to be going up. Every week you need to put in the work before the Saturday match… we’re looking forward to it.”
Best wishes from KZN10.com to Hilton captain & 7 flanker Patrick McVeigh and the boys come 1.15pm Pretoria Boys’ High School Saturday, 12 May 2018.
Michaelhouse first XV head coach James Fleming on the Hilton match:
“I had mixed feelings, partially so proud of the effort the boys put in and their willingness to play to the final whistle. We focused hard on building their confidence after a tough start to the season and they played with some fantastic flare considering. And partially frustrated as we felt we had done our homework on what Hilton would do… and they managed to do just that. They are well drilled, squeezed us into making mistakes and scored from there.
Meadows magic: Livewire left winger Thamsanqa Zakwe takes on the Hilton College lock pairing of Andrew James (5) & Niaan Taljaard (4), Michaelhouse’s schoolboys the backdrop.
Photo: Thomas van der Hoven
“I’ll leave the rest for 16 June!”
Yes indeed, the return muscle-up on Gilfillan Field is set to be an absolute cracker, but right now it’s the challenge offered by visitors the Northwood first XV at 3.15pm Saturday 12 May 2018 on Meadows that is no doubt occupying coach Fleming’s mind, as well as that of skipper and number 8 Christian Oppies Opperman and his boys.
KZN10.com wishes both House and the Knights of Northwood everything of the best.
Michaelhouse (0) 5
Try: No.8 Christian Opperman
Hilton (10) 23
Tries: No.4 Niaan Taljaard & No.7 Patrick McVeigh
Michaelhouse & Saints in rugby thriller on Meadows
A REMARKABLE 19-point turnaround in a matter of minutes saw the Michaelhouse first XV outlast St Charles College 29-17 on Meadows Saturday 28 April 2018 after the scores were locked 10-10 at half-time.
Well-managed by experienced referee Danie Joubert, the fixture made for a highly entertaining spectacle that did justice to the Michaelhouse Old Boys who had travelled from far and wide to celebrate Reunion Day 2018, particularly the Class of 1988 who were celebrating their 30th .
Among the Class of 88 it was great to finally meet Vik Ramnath in person and to chat with Warwick Rebeck.
Let’s get back to the rugby…
As much as the first half was exciting, the essential drama unfolded after the changeover.
Resuming at 10-10 after the break, the Saints started the second half with a bang, but were held up over the tryline. The subsequent 5-metre scrum saw lock forward and captain Luke Adam’s lads mount a wave of assaults that brought their pack’s ball-carrying weapons – number 8 Maziko Theu among them – within what appeared to be mere centimetres of the whitewash.
The Michaelhouse defence, led from the front by inspirational captain and number 8 Christian Oppies Opperman were courage personified. Himself a Michaelhouse Old Boy, Saints coach Nick Jacko Jackson’s charges – no matter how hard they tried – couldn’t unlock the Michaelhouse defence during this tension-filled passage of play.
However, the relentless pressure had to tell – and the Saints schoolboys packed into the stands facing the school – erupted when their unflagging support was rewarded, flyhalf Braden Muir skilfully evading the defensive screen a little wider of the sets of 8 upfront to score under the posts. Fullback Luyanda Prince Mazeka converted for Saints to take a 17-10 lead with 23 minutes left.
Saints 10 Braden Muir at full stretch in dotting down alongside the upright, much to the delight of his team-mates (from left) flanker Brent Louwrens, number 8 Maziko Theu and halfback partner JJ Foord as Michaelhouse scrumhalf Lance Reynolds (9) and inside centre Chris Hardie (12) look on.
Photo Martin Ashworth
But from that point on, the Michaelhouse first XV conjured up the match-winning shift.
The home side launched an attack shortly after the re-start that was stopped by the Saints defenders in the right-hand corner. However, House refused to be denied, inside centre Chris Hardie exploiting a gap in the stretched Saints defence to crash over. Flyhalf Liam England slotted the conversion and MHS were all-square at 17-17 with 14 minutes left.
Soon after the Saints’ re-start, a dazzling run from inside the Michaelhouse half (by winger Michael Gomes, I think?) was rounded off in style when outside centre and vice-captain Dane Fischer flew over the tryline wide-left… and at 22-17 in this fast-paced muscle-up, House took the lead for the third time.
Try time! Michaelhouse outside centre & vice-captain Dane Fischer rounds St Charles flyhalf Braden Muir.
Photo Martin Ashworth
The astonishing turnaround was completed by coach James Fleming’s Michaelhouse line-up when irrepressible winger Gomes again broke free – this time out on the right. MHS pivot Liam England duly converted.
House had turned a 10-17 deficit into a 29-17 inside 10 minutes.
And with 10 or so minutes left to full-time, Saints knew it was now or never.
Saints’ lock and captain Luke Adam’s re-energised pack launched a ferocious assault on the MHS tryline and the spectators’ stand in the left-hand corner was a great vantage point from which to witness the physicality of both sets of forwards. Despite the immense pressure, the hugely spirited home-side defence led by skipper Oppies Opperman were not interested in relinquishing their hard-earned 12-point winning margin, stopping charge after charge mere metres from their goalline.
# It was an ebb-and-flow match-up between two willing sides who attacked at every opportunity but were also prepared to do the hard yards in defence.
The Michaelhouse and St Charles schoolboys’ non-stop support with drums, war-cries and school songs added wonderful colour to the spectacle.
Saints euphoria: The St Charles College boys celebrate touchdown time.
Photo Martin Ashworth … the first half…
* The highlights of an entertaining first half kicked off when MHS took advantage of a couple of unforced SCC errors that were eventually punished via a Liam England penalty goal (3-0). Saints’ fullback Prince Mazeka cancelled it out with another relatively straightforward penalty for 3-3 after 6 minutes. Just 4 minutes later it was touchdown time for MHS when outside centre Dane Fischer – slicing open the Saints defence – scored the first of his two tries in this pulsating match. Liam England added the 2 points (10-3).
Midway through the first half concerted pressure was rewarded when Saints transferred the oval ball left before flyhalf Braden Muir slipped the perfect inside pass to flanker Brent Louwrens for try-time. Prince Mazeka converted for the electronic scoreboard to read 10-10.
The next couple of plays were to deny Saints a possible first-half lead. A gilt-edged Saints opportunity went a-begging via a handling error just one pass away from try-time. Hardly a minute later what seemed to be yet another lock-stock-and-barrel SCC try went awry following an unforced error.
The frenetic pace continued unabated when Michaelhouse fullback Mike Brownlee produced a jinking 40-metre run but his chip into space towards the right-hand corner found the touchline a split-second ahead of his flying right-winger Michael Gomes. And 5 minutes to half-time Michaelhouse took full advantage of a breakdown in mid-field for skipper Oppies Opperman to break free but his rampaging 30-metre run was halted 20-odd metres ahead of touchdown following an excellent back-tackle by SCC 10 Braden Muir.
The home side finished the half strongly, discarding a kickable penalty option for an attacking lineout but the SCC pack of 8 doused the Michaelhouse flame as the clock ticked down.
Exciting as the first half was, little did we know where the second half would take us…
Both sides’ defensive efforts within the 5-metre range ahead of try-time was a feature of this high-tempo muscle-up.
Photo: Martin Ashworth
TEAMS
Michaelhouse 1st XV
15 Mike Brownlee
14 Michael Gomes
13 Dane Fischer (vice-capt)
12 Chris Hardie
11 Thamsanqa Zakwe
10 Liam England
9 Lance Reynolds
8 Christian Opperman (capt)
7 Torin Mecklenborg
6 James Moodie
5 Nick Crampton
4 Dan Dillon
3 Liam Friend
2 Mpho Mthethwa
1 Andrew Holt
Subs
16 Matthew Holt
17 Brandon Jewell
18 James Kiln
19 James Armstrong
20 Andrew Daly
21 Luc Pousson
22 Philip Thomas
Coach: James Fleming
St Charles College 1st XV
15 Luyanda Mazeka
14 Nathaniel Sisia
13 Scott Anderson
12 Sbusiso Zakwe
11 Garrett Frier
10 Braden Muir
9 JJ Foord
8 Maziko Theu
7 Ronan Diedricks
6 Brent Louwrens
5 Luke Adam (capt)
4 Sean McCord
3 Erich Ortmann
2 Armin Jooste
1 Mphumelelo Sithole
Subs
16 Siyabonga Mzolo
17 Jason Robert
18 Mphemba Mbhele
19 Aaron Wood
20 Luke Jones
21 Ruben Jacobs
22 Zukile Mbuli
23 Jeremy de Beer
Coaches: Nick Jackson & Petrus du Plessis
Physio: Garth Oliver
# I managed to properly watch a couple of other matches:
* The second XV clash saw a remarkable change of fortunes. An 8-0 St Charles lead in the first quarter turned into an 8-22 deficit as Michaelhouse seconds enjoyed a purple patch down the left. Another try on half-time saw House change over with a healthy 27-8 lead.
* The match-winning factor in this game was Michaelhouse’s ability to punch holes in the St Charles defence both in midfield and out wide – be it on the left or right – and 34-8 with 23 minutes left turned into a 66-20 scoreline at the final whistle.
* The U14A “dawn patrol” contest at 8am on Willows was an action-packed affair, with the scoreline reading 12-12 at match-end. This was also the half-time score. The early-morning dew made for a slippery ball, which unfortunately undid a number of try-scoring opportunities.
* Saints probably deserved to win this one as they had an advantage in the forwards and produced some exciting running – particularly by the fullback when counter-attacking from deep. There were a couple of disputed decisions at key moments in this match, which also cost the visitors points. That said, House also had their opportunities with ball in hand.
*All the players can be commended for their commitment and spirit, as well as the number of technically excellent tackles that were effected.
RESULTS
(MHS scores first)
1st XV 29-17
2nds 66-20
3rds 57-0
16A 33-12
16B 31-0
15A 7-22
15B 19-7
15C 29-26
14A 12-12
14B 7-27
14C 7-38
Overall (like vs like i.e A vs A, B vs B, C vs C etc)
Michaelhouse won 7 & St Charles 3 with 1 drawn.
Many exciting stories to come
