Hooker Alex Vorster passes to prop Jonty Osborne to score for Westville (Centre Bradley Ellse in support)
Westville hosted their Durban North neighbours at Bowden’s Field on Saturday and cruised to an impressive 45 – 0 victory thereby extending their unbeaten run to seven games on the trot. Northwood had come off a hard fought win over George Campbell in a tough midweek encounter and followed this up by thumping a hapless Pinetown. Westville had tamed a determined Port Natal away at Voortrekker and were looking forward to a home game without rain soaked fields.
This was very much a contest between the visitor’s forwards and the home teams backs. Northwood used their impressive tight five to lay a solid platform at the set piece but their big ball carriers were unable to break down the resolute Westville defence and all too often the visitors went to the boot to gain territorial advantage. Westville, on the other hand, looked to keep ball in hand and stretch their opponents defence. Right wing Donovan Pieters scored the opening points of the game with a try in the right hand corner after a midfield break by centre Brad Ellse. Moments later it was Ellse’s turn to dot down under the sticks after he was put into a gap by flyhalf Reece McHardy. Fullback Louis Snyman added the conversion.
The home team then hit a purple patch and put on a display of sublime attacking rugby which saw backs and forwards interlink to maintain attack continuity. Pieters scored his second and then both props got on the scoresheet: loosehead, Jonty Osborne crashing over after fine work by hooker Alex Vorster down the shortside; and tighthead, Mzamo Majola collecting an inside pass from another McHardy break to dot down under the poles and take the home team into a 31 to nil lead at the break.
The second half was a rather dull affair with numerous stoppages and break in play which affected the tempo of the match. Northwood launched several attacks again through their tight five but there was no way through the organised Westville defence. To their credit, they turned down several kickable penalties and looked to the corner searching for a 7 pointer. The home team’s lineout defence was up to the mark and Northwood were unable to capitalise.
Westville scored two more excellent tries through Snyman after another break by Ellse but this was eclipsed by the final try of the match. The home team won a turnover and McHardy launched a swift counter attack. His clever pass found centre Jason Wilks who then ran 70 m downfield and was finally tackled just short of line but managed to offload to scrumhalf Luke Schlemmer. Snyman converted to bring the final score to 45 to nil.
Westville entertain Michaelhouse at home next weekend on their Old Boys day.