This weekend saw Michaelhouse play host to Westville Boys High. The opening exchanges were dominated by the visitors. Their efforts were rewarded soon after kick off with a try through outside centre, Tyler Fisher, who finished off a period of sustained period. The try was unconverted.
Although Westville asserted their authority through their forwards early in the game but then it seemed as though they took their foot off the gas after they had taken the lead. Poor decision-making and lapses in concentration allowed Michaelhouse back into the game. After a sustained period of attack Westville lost focus and were penalised repeatedly for scrummaging ,rucking and mauling infringements and were pushed back deep into their own half. Michaelhouse used the opportunity to ran hard at the visitors’ line. They exposed the visitors out wide and Watson the host’s right wing crossed over for a try. They converted the try and led 7-5 at half time.
Going into the second half even though they were several points behind it was Westville who must have felt the more confident given that they were dominating the physical battle up front. Almost immediately after the half, Westville were on the attack and mauled from a lineout 5 metres away from the Michaelhouse line. Thando Mpungose finished off the maul and dotted down, putting Westville 10-7 in front.
It wasn’t soon after the restart that Westville were on the attack again deep in the home teams 22. After probing the defence several times it was Westville’s scrumhalf and captain, Dwayne Kelly, who made a sniping dart around the fringe of a ruck and dotted down to extend the lead to 15-7. The try was converted by flyhalf Duncan Campbell and Westville led 17-10. Campbell then failed to convert Westville’s pressure into points when he missed two long range penalties. The fact that he didn’t have his trusty kicking boots on was to cost the visitors in the final analysis
Missed opportunities by Westville and a string of penalties which hampered any continuity spurred Michaelhouse on and they closed the gap on the visitors though a penalty. With only 6 minutes and the score at 17-13 in Westville’s favour, Michaelhouse took advantage of a poor kick upfield by the visitors to start a backline move which outstripped Westville’s defence and resulted in a try in the corner. The score was now 17-18 with only two minutes left ,Westville’s pack rumbled the ball up to the hosts 22 and were rewarded with a penalty. Inexplicably the visitors opted for a lineout instead of shot at goal. A kick which ordinarily was quite within Cambell’s ability and range. The lineout went awry for the visitors and the referee blew the final whistle to allow the home team a victory.by the narrowest of margins. Michaelhouse would have felt that they had gotten out of jail free.
It was a disappointing start to the season for Westville.
They will have to cut down their penalty rate considerably and hope that Campbell is on song with his boot this weekend when they take on Kearsney at Kearsney.
This is the first of the FNB Classic Clashes and draws large crowds as it is the clash of the Highways rugby giants and a much anticipated derby
- R Young
- D Coertzen
- L Mahaye
- T Leathley
- P Woodroffe
- N Mpungose
- B Backeberg
- K Majola
- D Kelly (C)
- D Campbell
- K Boulle
- R Nel
- T Fisher
- S Neveling
- D Watkeys
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