Glenwood beats DHS in exhilarating game

THE much anticipated derby between Glenwood High School and Durban High School (DHS), arguably the most important fixture on the Glenwood calendar, was held on Saturday.

The game coincided with Glenwood’s Old Boys weekend, which given the nature of this fixture, added an incredible hype to this match, which started out fiercely, with both teams trying to get over the advantage line and testing their opponents’ defence.

Glenwood’s fans were ecstatic when the team burst inside DHS’ 22 m line and Jaden Hendrikse with quick ball, spread the ball wide and found 8th man George Luzolo to beat the DHS defender on the inside and score Glenwood’s first try came within the first three minutes showing much promise for the rest of the game. Jaden Hendrikse failed to convert and the Green Machine lead 5-0.

The Green Machine was ready for second gear and started getting into rhythm when silly play from DHS winger Malusi Ntuli, deliberately knocking the ball down, resulted in a yellow card. Play was back in DHS 22m with Glenwood on the attack, when 8th man Celimpilo Gumede got the ball, tackled by lock pair Werner Coetzee and Lunga Ncube and lost the ball backwards. Lunga Ncube was quick to pounce on the loose ball and easily ran through for his first try of the game. The try went unconverted and Glenwood extended their lead to 10-0 after 11 minutes.

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The Green Machine found themselves back at the DHS try line. Dylan Pretorius passed out wide to find Conan Le Fleur who muscled his way over the try line. Glenwood took advantage of the extra man, scoring their third try bringing the score to 15 – 0.

DHS looked like they were finding their feet, getting into their rhythm when another handling error broke their momentum, resulting in a scrum just inside Glenwood’s half. Jaden Hendrikse was quick to feed the scrum and got the ball out to Dylan Pretorius who set up his dynamic backline.

Some miscommunication between DHS backline players opened a gap for the number 10 who skilfully slipped through the gap, darting the ball down the corner for try number four. Glenwood went into the break leading 20-0.

Glenwood found themselves in trouble early on in the second half when George Luzolo was penalised and awarded a yellow card for repeated infringements. DHS found their way over the try line in the right-hand corner to score their first try courtesy of winger Malusi Ntuli. The conversion by Shakur la Douce was successful.

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Glenwood replied straight away with a try from Rynhardt Jonker with another signature behind-the-back pass from Jaden Hendrikse to score right next to the upright. Jaden extended the lead with the conversion to 27-7. Glenwood stepped on the accelerator, going over the DHS try line again. This came from some great passing, creating the opportunity for Joe Jonas to beat the defender and dart the ball down over the try line. Try converted by Hendrikse brought the score to 34-7.

Lunga Ncube then made it to the try line to score his second try of the match, driving over from five metres out. Jaden converted, and the score extended to 41-7.

Rynhardt Jonker then scored his second try from a set piece in the middle of the field, running a good line to cut back through the DHS defence and with a well-executed dummy managed to dive over in the left corner. Jaden Hendrikse converted bringing the score to 48-7.

It took Glenwood only three minutes to crack open DHS’ defence again. Tight head prop Thabiso Mdlethse found some space, ran up the line but the DHS player did well to intervene just in time. A pick up from quick hands down the line from Jaden Hendrikse to Dylan Pretorius put Jean Roux through to score Glenwood’s ninth try of the match. Jaden Hendrikse converted again, with the score 55-7.

DHS had a late consolation try thanks to fullback Ulrich Brown who collected a pass from Celimpilo Gumede after breaking through a tackle. Shakur la Douce failed to convert. The full time score was 55-12 to Glenwood.

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