Allen Glen High’s rugby boys write their names into the history books
Third time lucky as Blue Machine overcomes HS Carletonville to wrap up magical Noordvaal season.
The scoreboard resets to zero but victorious moments linger forever in the memory.
Receiving a send-off worthy of the greatest warriors, Allen Glen High School’s U/14, U/15 and the Blue Machine’s First XV left Landhuis Street on a wave of belief. The Friday before Saturday’s Noordvaal Trophy finals, the squads were paraded in front of jubilant peers who filled the main grandstand, delivering goosebump-inducing war cries.
The teams and coaching staff then ventured to Carletonville where the U/14s would face Musina’s Hoërskool Eric Louw before the U/15s would have to overcome Witbank’s Hoërskool Patriot. Standing between Allen Glen’s First XV and the glory they craved would be Hoërskool Carletonville, a team they already lost to twice this year. The U/14s would have to settle for a shared trophy after a 17-all draw but the U/15s began the party with a hard-fought 12–10 win.
The margins between hosts Hoërskool Carletonville and Allen Glen had been tight all season and the Noordvaal Section Four final would be decided by the most slender of margins. Each team crossed the whitewash twice but it was accuracy from the tee that proved the difference as Allen Glen turned the mining town blue with a 14–12 win.
“You could gauge how the team was going to perform from the warm-up, it was so crisp and sharp and to the point. You could feel the vibe and energy and they got the result when it mattered,” said a proud coach, Brad Theunissen.
“It was something special. It was a privilege to coach this team and it really has been a magical year,” said Theunissen after a raucous bus ride home, noting the visible unity displayed by all involved. Theunissen is just one part of an invaluable coaching unit that includes U/14 and U/15 coaches Neels Gous, Damian Sadlo, Casper le Roux and JG Spies, as well as First XV coaches Telivin Holland and Johan Kruger.
Wedging them all together is Allen Glen’s Director of Sport, Hennie van Vuuren, who sent a triumphant message to his charges.
“To the Champions, on behalf of Allen Glen High School, I want to thank each and every single one of you for your hard work, dedication and passion to your sport. Seasons are not without their ups and downs, however in the face of adversity all of you triumphed and made history. Once again thank you for making Allen Glen High School proud.”
