The DHS 1st XV travelled on the annual tour to the Grey High Rugby Festival in PE to take on two highly rated teams, namely St Andrew’s College and Hoërskool Garsfontein. After an extremely long bus journey the boys were able to recuperate with a recovery day spent stretching on the pristine beaches of Port Elizabeth before taking on St Andrew’s in their first game.
DHS underperformed in their first encounter although racing to a 10-0 lead after just 10 minutes. Scrumhalf, Jaydian Cedares, scoring both tries, showed his pace in both efforts. The game was played in hurricane like winds which was a very new experience for the Horseflies. The team appeared very flat and could not generate the same intensity in their defence that has become synonymous with the 1st XV this year. St Andrew’s backs were blessed with some out-and-out pace and exploited holes in the DHS backline. The team committed the cardinal sin conceding a bout of tries late in the first half leaving the half time score at 12-10 to the visitors. With the wind behind them in the 2nd half, DHS felt they could exploit this to their advantage. However, St Andrew’s ability to keep the ball in hand led to some scintillating tries. It was game where it felt as if the long bus trip had taken its toll and the players just could not find that second gear. A disappointing performance against a top rated team. The final score 15-31 to St Andrew’s.
The match against Garsfontein was to prove an even tougher fixture, with the big money spending Pretoria based outfit boasting a contingent of SA Schools players as well a plethora of U19 boys in the team. The opening 20 minutes of the match was enough to have any DHS supporter expecting the worst as Garsfontein raced to a 19-0 lead. DHS had uncharacteristically showed too much respect to their much larger opponents. However, in true DHS spirit the next 40 minutes proved to be some of our best and most committed rugby to date. It was as if a “cat had been set amongst the pigeons” as the DHS boys climbed into their opposition both on attack and defence. The tempo was frenetic and with a star-studded performance from Captain Celimpilo Gumede, DHS fought their way back into the lead, with a brace of tries for Gumede and another for flank Mnguni.
Another well-timed run by prop Mthokozisi Gumede, led to another try, with the prop showing his pace to go over the try line. However, the fairy-tale comeback, although thoroughly deserved, was not to be as Garsfontein answered with a well constructed set piece backs move to slice the DHS defence and score and convert to take the scores to 26-29. The final few minutes of possession from DHS proved to be in vain as they tried valiantly to upset the applecart. It was a great performance and highlighted the ability of the team, it was just disappointing to come away with another loss.
Scott Mathie
1st XV Rugby Coach
The U14A team also attended the Grey High Festival.
They went down 28-19 to Grey High, but had a great win vs Selborne College, 43-12.
