15 April 2023
There was plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air for the showdown between two impressive teams, when DHS welcomed Westville to Durban on Saturday. Mike Greenaway was at the game for Pinnacle Schools…
Strong surge
A strong surge by DHS just after half-time put them in control against Westville and they eventually prevailed 24-20 after a tense struggle at the Essenwood Road school on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams had enjoyed success at the Kearsney Easter Festival, with Westville unbeaten in their three games while DHS had won twice, so this was always going to be a close-fought affair.
It had been previewed as the physicality of Westville versus the free-spirited running of DHS, but the latter gave as good as they got in the close exchanges and looked good with their driving maul, while Westville were at their most dangerous when they used their athletic backline instead of kicking aimlessly in the first half when they were up against a stiff breeze.
It took 20 minutes of arm wrestling before Westville’s Tshegofatso Ramaloko and home flyhalf Deano Boesak exchanged penalties.
Fullback Ramaloko then turned on the gas to break 40m before being tackled, but from the pressure his flyhalf Unathi Mlotshwa pounced on a DHS mistake on their line to score.
DHS hit straight back when fullback Bayanda Zama attached beautifully to set up wing Ntando Mavuso for a race to the corner and a 10-8 half-time lead.
DHS response takes them clear
Westville were next to score when hooker Ross Calvert strongly finished off a slick lineout move, but then came a burst of scoring from DHS.
First big prop Simphiwe Ngobese broke like a back to set up flank Danie Ikotela for a try and then, when Westville failed to deal with an up-and-under, DHS wing Maurice Willemse cashed in to score.
Both tries were converted by Boesak and the 14 points pushed DHS well clear. A consolation penalty try to Westville at the final whistle brought the final score much closer.
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