Highlanders continue to impress

Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders strung together two good victories when the team played Volksrust 1, winning 61-seven and 84-19.

Last week Friday, at the Arborpark Sports Grounds, Highlanders ran in 12 tries in its 84-19 drumming of Volksrust.

The 12 tries were equally split six all by the forwards and backs.

It was clear the Highlanders’ training field drills were coming into play, as the team showed excellent backline moves, and good interplay between the forwards and backs.

The team’s players were too pacy and Volksrust was unable to close all the gaps and space on the field.

Volksrust was caught on the back foot at every scrum and at times was completely pushed off the ball.

Highlanders held structure throughout the game and never lost composure.

Things did not go well for Volksrust as injuries also set in and the team had soon lost a few key players to injuries.

The forwards created good platform for the backline to play from, and they did not disappoint,

Highlanders’ forward lock, Wandile Sibiya was outstanding, running like a centre, while constantly backtracking and doing his job and playing his part in scrums and line-outs.

He was closely followed by loose head prop, Adriaan Koorts who played a storming game.

In the backline, right winger, André Fourie scored three tries, and once again, gave the Highlanders backline players tons of pace.

To further frustrate Volksrust, fly-half, Johan Esterhuizen, did not miss a kick, converting all 12 tries from all areas of the field.

In four games, Esterhuizen has accumulated a massive 84 points, and his touch finders are just as inpresive.

Tries for the Highlanders were scored by Fourie (three); Sibiya (two); full-back Wandile Nkosi (one); inside centre Gift Mabaso (one); captain Errit Visser (one); flanker Alister Keet (one); flanker Innis Visser (one); Koorts (one); Pieter Terblanche (one); and Esterhuizen scored 24 points with the boot.

Highlanders’ head coach, André Swanepoel invited the community to watch the boys in red as the teams continue to build on an impressive start to the season.

“Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders have four sides playing in the league at the moment. The teams are Highlanders 1 and 2, and Newcastle 1 and 2. We would love to see the community support each and every one of their home games.”

Newcastle 1 travelled to Pongola on Saturday and won 25-24, while Highlanders 2 won 77-nil against Volksrust 2. Newcastle 2 lost 58-nil to Sentraal 1.

The local teams are all strung together by Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders.

Highlanders 1, Newcastle 1, Highlanders 2 and Newcastle 2 are Highlanders First, Second, Third, and Fourth sides respectively.

Highlanders 1 will travel to Pongola this Saturday and Highlanders 2 play Sentraal 1. Newcastle 1 and 2 will be at home against Piet Retief, with play scheduled to start at 2pm and 3.30pm.