The DHS U18 Sevens Rugby team cruised to their 3rd Cup trophy victory this season as they obliterated the field at the Pionier Sevens Festival in Vryheid last weekend. The oldest and most established tournament on the circuit drew 16 teams from across the country that competed in very dry and hot conditions for the coveted trophy.
The tournament started on the Friday afternoon and the Horseflies, sporting their new dazzling blue and gold kit, comfortably beat their Northern opponents Middleburg 54-0 in the opening fixture. They then produced another impeccable performance, beating Ladysmith 64-0. The following morning, after the great hospitality of the evening, DHS played their final group fixture, beating the Pionier B team by 38-0. Much has been said of the attacking prowess of the DHS team, however, with Ex-Blitzbok Howard Noble added to the coaching team, their defence has shown considerable improvement and has begun to be another weapon in this team’s arsenal.
The Quarter Finals took place in the heat of the day as DHS took on another team from up country, Noordheuwel, who they went on to beat 47-0.
Star players were SA “A” Rugby player Sanele Nohamba, whose decision making skills and devastating acceleration proved too much for the opposition. Phendulani Buthelezi showed his explosive attributes, whilst the backline boasted the elusiveness and speed of Craven week players Onke Jiba, Cham Zondeki and Gert Coetzee. It was also exciting to see Grant Khomo player Celimpilo Gumede making an impact in the forwards.
The Semi-final was contested against Hoogenhout, with DHS conceding their first points of the competition; however, they ran out comfortable winners 49-14.
It was then onto the final. Hosts Pionier had defeated highly rated Heidelberg Volkskool who had disposed of Kearney earlier in the day. The final was a repeat of last year’s affair and the result went the way again of the Durban based team. It was a tightly contested match for periods throughout the game, but ultimately DHS had too much fire-power for the Vryheid team and ran out 33-12 victors on the day, winning the tournament for the second year in a row.
It was highly successful tournament for DHS as they scored the most points and conceded the least throughout; and added to that they were the crowd favourites as their dazzling display of expansive rugby continues to delight us all.
Side Note:
The U15 DHS Sevens travelled up to Pionier with their successful U18 Seniors. They represented the School proudly as the U18 side’s proficiency is certainly beginning to rub off on the juniors. Although a lot smaller than all their opposition, the team competed admirably, winning 4 out of their 5 games playing a style we have become accustomed to seeing from the U18 team.
The team defended with pride as they ran out winners against Kempton Park 7-0 and Vryheid Landbou 14-7 in the group stages. The team were unlucky to lose a tightly contested Quarter Final against St Charles 5-12 but made amends as they rallied in their plate semi-final to beat Kempton Park yet again 14-12. The Plate final was a real nail biter, with DHS coaches and proud Old Boys, Lyle Matthysen and Matthew Everitt left watching with one eye closed throughout. With the scores tied at 7-7, they went to extra time sudden death. Heidelberg Volkskool opted to go for poles after they received a penalty but missed their kick giving the young Horseflies a shot at redemption. It eventually came when Sfundo Mkwanazi intercepted a pass to step and run through to win the game for his team. The final score was 14-7 and the U15 team lifted the Plate trophy.
Scott Mathie
Head of Rugby
RUGBY SEVENS @ PIONIER
DHS Opposition
1st 54 Middelburg 0
1st 64 Ladysmith 0
1st 38 Pionier 2nd 0
1st 49 Hoogenhout 14
(Cup SF)
1st 33 Pionier 1st 12
(Cup Final)
U15A 5 St Charles 12
U15A 14 Kempton Park 12
(Plate SF)
U15A 14 Heidelburg 7
(Plate Final)
U15A 7 Kempton Park 0
U15A 14 Vryheid Landbou 7
