Quins bounce back

THE Mighty Quins second rugby team have continued on their up-curve and improved on last week’s performance when they stunned Westville Old Boys with a courageous performance on the Bluff this past weekend.

They continued on this season’s solid performances when they showed why they have the best defense in their league and kept Westville to a solitary score of one try.

Sadly Quins could also only manage one try for their efforts and the game to end in an entertaining five-all draw. Quins will rue not kicking for poles on a number of occasions in the game, which could have made the difference between winning and drawing. For Quins the try was scored by flanker Van Zyl Koch who was outstanding during his 40 minutes on the field.

In another special occasion the same day, lock JJ Swanepoel had the privilege of playing a game of rugby with his father, André Swanepoel, and he was also awarded the man of the match award for the forwards. Backline man of the match went to Röhz Tobias who had an outstanding game on the right wing. He is the smallest man on the field with the heart of a lion.

Two points for the draw has cemented their position in the top four.

The first team has really started playing decent rugby after their drubbing at South Coast Warriors. It is a different team playing with great heart and pride, which is showing on the field. Westville were brought down to earth when they came unstuck against a tenacious Quins side that gave everything they had to win a scrappy but thoroughly entertaining match 5-3.

In the first half Quins was probably the better team but neither team showed any points for it. The handling errors and losing the ball in contact cost both teams dearly. There was no score at the break and everything to play for in the last 40 minutes.

The second half was another tight struggle as both teams gave everything they had and it was Westville that scored first through a well taken penalty. The game was surprisingly low scoring as both teams constantly attacked and at only 3-0 going into the last 20 minutes, it was going to test the nerve of the players. One always had the feeling that the next team to score would win the game and then live-wire Quins flanker Tiaan van Loggerenberg burst over for a lovely try after he was moved to the wing. The conversion was missed and a tense last few minutes were anticipated.

Westville stepped up another gear and looked the better and stronger of the two teams. They launched attack after attack and the Mighty Quins were tackling themselves to a standstill to keep the visitors at bay. Westville started a final attack as time was running out and ran from their own half, to have Quins scrambling in defense. An overlap was created down the right flank and Westville found a way through but lock Nicolaas Engelbrecht had other ideas and made an astonishing try-saving tackle to force the knock-on. Quins held on for the well deserved win. This team has come full circle this season.

Man of the match awards went to hooker Duane Goodes who was simply outstanding and Siyanda Madlala, who gave a solid performance as stand-in centre.

This week sees Quins take on another rejuvenated team, UKZN Howard College in Glenwood on Friday night. It is going to be an entertaining match against the students for sure.

In junior rugby action, the juniors had another successful day at the Crusaders Rugby Club in Durban North. There are some amazing youngsters playing junior rugby who will ensure Quins’ future is in good hands.