IT was a productive outing for the Glenwood first XV at HTS Middelburg with 13 tries being run in, the determination of the Green Machine to play an expansive game earning an 83-0 victory.

As a return to action from the long July holiday layoff it stands Glenwood in good stead ahead of their 4 August home fixture with Grey College, as well as the final outing of a memorable season indeed, when Waterkloof visit Dixons on the public holiday, Friday August 10.

Fresh from a successful Coca-Cola Craven Week campaign in Paarl enjoyed by the Glenwood boys and welcoming some of their U19 players back (Craven Week is U18 while schools’ rugby is U19 in the senior age group) the Glenwood outfit had to make some changes to the starting line-up with lock Cade Esterhuizen, eighthman Dean Needham and wing Aaron Larue coming in.

Feature image by Hardus Grundling (Grade 9 – Media Club): Glenwood scrumhalf Joe Jonas finds space.

10 minutes into the first half Glenwood stole the ball from HTS Middelburg’s lineout. Runako Brynard, with a strong run, carried the ball up to the 5-metre line. Joe Jonas spread it wide to JC Conradie who managed to find his way through but was held up on the line. Again, it was scrumhalf Jonas with a quick-ball skip pass to winger Larue, who stretched over to score.

 

After good runs from Brynard and Jonas, it was Jonas who spotted a gap to score Glenwood’s second try.

Glenwood’s 3rd came after another powerful surge by Brynard. Glenwood played through a couple of phases before prop Thabiso Mdletshe broke through a tackle to score. SA Schools 2018 back Rynhardt Jonker converted for a 17-0 lead.

An exhilarating period of running rugby ensued. Jonas slipped through and passed to Siyanda Cele, who was stopped metres away from the tryline. Putting the Middelburg pack under pressure Glenwood turned the ball over. Dylan Pretorius received the ball, dummied and popped the ball to Jean Roux who scored under the poles. Jonas converted for 24-0 with 15 minutes to play in the first half.

 

 

A kick-and-chase from Roux resulted in Middelburg carrying the ball over. From the 5-metre scrum, Pretorius passed to Conradie who sidestepped his way past two defenders to score Glenwood’s 5th try. Jonker converted for 31-0.

Another Glenwood 5-metre scrum saw the backline set Conradie up. Jonker was successful with the conversion (38-0).

Middelburg too often undid their good work through handling errors in this match.

The next try came when Larue stepped his way past three defenders (43-0). Glenwood then employed some excellent defence before the half-time whistle blew.

Early in the second half, Glenwood made some player changes with George Luzolo, Conan le Fleur and Carlo Cloete coming on.

 

 

Jonker crossed over for the first try and Jonas converted (50-0). Then it was Larue who slipped through a gap. He offloaded in the tackle to Roux who almost knocked on but managed to control it for another Glenwood try. The Jonker boot made it 57-0.

Werner Coetzee was substituted by SA Schools 2018 lock forward Lunga Ncube, who immediately made an impact. Jonker scored his 2nd try, diving over in the corner after Ncube carried the ball up to inside Middelburg’s 22. Quick ball from the ruck gave Glenwood that overlap on the left (62-0).

 

 

Then great defence from Conradie turned the ball over in the tackle, Joe Jonas passed to Conan le Fleur who spotted a small gap, managed to get through and – running about 80 metres – scored next to the upright. Conversion by Jonker (69-0).

Only 2 minutes later La Fleur found himself crossing again after a fine team effort, with strong runs from Ruan Olivier, Brynard and Pretorius. La Fleur received the ball from Deon Needham on Middelburg’s 22 and powered his way over to score Glenwood’s 12th try. Jonas converted for 76-0.

 

 

Glenwood’s 13^th and last try came thus: Awarded a free-kick after an early bind in the scrum, Glenwood opted to tap and go, spreading it wide to replacement winger Cloete who was brought down 10 metres short. Ncube was the first receiver and dived over. The Jonker boot once again – to leave Glenwood with an 83-0 win.

Though the match was a one-sided affair, superb breakdown play, quick passing through the hands and exciting running served Glenwood well.

 

 

SCORES
Glenwood (43) 83
Tries: Aaron Larue (2), Joe Jonas, Thabiso Mdletshe, Jean Roux (2), JC Conradie (2), Rynhardt Jonker (2), Conan La Fleur (2), Lunga Ncube
Conversions: Rynhardt Jonker (5), Joe Jonas (3)
HTS Middelburg 0

* Edited extract of a match report by Alex van der Merwe. Further info supplied by Jono Cook.

For more info on Glenwood the school go to http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/

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ALL THE GLENWOOD SPORTS RESULTS AT HTS MIDDELBURG

http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/wp-content/uploads/19-May-2018-HTS-Middelburg-1.pdf