It is with a great deal of sadness that we say Au Revoir to Scott Mathie, our 1st XV Rugby Coach and Head of Rugby.
It seemed fitting to share an article called Scotties Viewpoint which the DHS Foundation circulates to its ±10 000 Old Boy members:
“Gentlemen of the Blue and Gold
It is with a tinge of sadness that the last edition of “Scotties Viewpoint” is forwarded for your perusal.
For many of us that witnessed the day’s rugby against Hilton, we can feel suitably proud of the improvement made across all age groups. In both the U14A and U15A games, the result was in the balance until the last 5 minutes, and the brand of rugby displayed by both schools was enjoyed by the large crowd that attended. Mention must also be made of our gallant 2nd XV who, notwithstanding losing a number of players to our 1st XV through injury, gave their all before going down 3-10 to a spirited Hilton team.
On the hockey front, our U14A side excelled to beat the highly rated Hilton U14A team 4-2, whilst our 1st XI competed extremely well before going down to Hilton 1st XI 0-3.
In conclusion, we wish Scott Mathie every success in the future at Griquas. The school is currently interviewing possible candidates and the new Director of Rugby at DHS will be announced by the end of next week.
Best wishes
Louis Ardé
CEO
DHS Foundation Trust
Scotties Viewpoint
Match Report Hilton:
It was to be an emotional Saturday afternoon for me, as I watched my last game as the coach of the DHS 1st XV. It has been an amazing experience coaching my school 1st XV, one I will value and cherish forever. Although Saturday’s result did not go our way, I left with a great deal of contentment, witnessing for the last time what I have come to expect from the DHS boys. That is, fight! Outweighed and outmatched physically, they yet again proved that heart counts for so much more, on the rugby field and in life.
The DHS 1st XV started their 2019 campaign in a spirited yet losing fashion going down to Hilton 3-20. It was a tightly contested affair until the last 10min, where Hilton scored two late tries to seal the victory.
It was always going to be a difficult afternoon for “school”, as we were without a contingent of injured players, especially up front. However, we rallied well and battled in the way we have come to expect from this combatant outfit.
DHS ultimately were unable to match the physicality of Hilton and were forced to defend for large amounts of the game. The effort it took on the boys eventually tolled in the final quarter of the game. DHS also conceded far too many penalties which had a direct influence on their ability to control the territorial battle.
Although not an ideal start for School, they certainly showed massive fight on the day, and with some of our influential boys still to return, there are certainly positives to take out of the game. It seems we have always started the past few seasons in a rather slow manner and begrudgingly often to a Hilton team who benefits from the close-knit boarding environment that allows for far more training sessions in the pre-season.
I have no doubt that the team, left in the capable hands of Ronnie Uys, my fellow coach for the past 4yrs, will fare well under his leadership. He has been a massive part of the success of DHS over the past 4yrs, and his knowledge and understanding of the way we do things at “School” will no doubt continue. I will miss him and his support over the years. To his fellow coaching partner Ruan Lombard and 1st XV manager, Conal Levin, I wish them all the best as they navigate the ups and downs of the 1st XV season!
I cannot express enough gratitude to the Head Master, staff and the Foundation for all the support they have shown me over the past 5yrs. Pulling the rugby out of the dark places it was, was never a one man show, it required hours of effort and enthusiasm driven on and inspired by the support these people showed. This enthusiasm filtered to many of our longstanding coaches, who will still be driving the standards we have come to expect from a DHS boy.
Lastly, to all the DHS Old Boys, it is with a heavy heart that I leave this place. Van Heerden’s will always remain my most favoured rugby ground. There is no place where one can witness pure heart and effort poured out every weekend. I am excited for my next step and leave knowing that I have left DHS in a better place, and with a coaching team that will continue the style and brand that has come to be associated with the blue and gold.
Kind Regards,
Scott Mathie
