DHS 1st XV played some exciting rugby to run out comfortable 39-8 winners over Northwood at Kings Park on Saturday 9 April 2016. The game itself swung the Horseflies way early on, as “School” dominated the early phases playing some scintillating running rugby to race to a 13-3 lead after 20 minutes. Explosive flanker, Phendulani Buthelezi, opened the scoring with one of his trademark runs down the touchline after an excellent offload from Eighth man, Matthew Hamilton. It was the first of two tries for the flanker. DHS looked to move the ball into space at every opportunity and the large Northwood pack were unable to get a foothold into the game.
The biggest surprise on the day was the front five of DHS who fronted up superbly against the far bigger Northwood counterparts and in the end had the better in all the set piece exchanges. Tight head, Tiaan de Jager, and loose head, Sandile Nduzi, scrummed superbly which gave the DHS backs some excellent try scoring opportunities. The DHS lineouts were also dominant with School denying Northwood most of their own ball and securing a large percentage of their own. DHS captain, Ryan Dafel, has really stepped up in this department and could stake a claim for a Craven week berth on these performances.
It was another stellar performance from DHS scrumhalf, Sanele Nohamba, whose nifty footwork and decision made the biggest difference. The second half was much of the same with DHS opening up the Northwood defence from scrum time with a well worked move to send left wing, Tonderai Ndudzo, over for his first of the game. Winger, Luthando Buthelezi, added his first from a delightful long pass from flyhalf, Gert Coetzee, which took DHS to an unassailable 24-3 lead. Another try from Phendulani Buthelezi after some exciting interplay reflected the dominance of DHS play on the day.
Northwood managed to get on the score sheet later in the 2nd half as they held the ball through 15 phases to eventually score in the corner. This was after DHS hooker, Kamvelihle Fatyela, was sin-binned for repeated infringement. The final try of the day came from DHS fullback, Cham Zondeki, whose performances of late have caught the more than just the KZN selectors’ eyes. This made the score 39-8, an excellent day for DHS rugby and all involved.
Scott Mathie
1st XV Rugby Coach/Head of Rugby
