13 March 2023
Reunions come with their own pressure for the home teams. They want to perform well in front of their Old Boys and the big crowds, and for Maritzburg College it had been some time since they had managed a Reunion Day win. But, on Saturday on Goldstone’s, they claimed a solid 27-8 victory over Westville to change that narrative.
“A massive relief,” Maritzburg College 1st XV coach Tim Orchard said. “It is our first win on Reunion Day since 2017, when we also won against Westville.”
Relentless
College were relentless. They kept Westville under pressure and spent most of the game in the Griffins’ half. However, in the early going the visitors did a fine job contesting the ball at the rucks to earn a string of penalties, which helped keep College at bay.
That, however, is not a winning strategy and College made a breakthrough when captain Sasha Kadira fired off the back of a set scrum and went over next to the uprights after five minutes.
Setting the example
He led from the front and was later responsible for another College try in the second half. After the match, he looked like a spent force, battered, and with a bandage sporting the crimson of some blood wrapped around his head. He had set the example and his team had followed. Later, scrumhalf Rhett Quin also went over to extend College’s lead.
Maritzburg College have been a real force at set scrum time all season long. Even Grey College were put into reverse, but Westville held up well for the first half. Eventually, though, College’s unwavering -in-your-face challenge paid off as they got the upper hand.
“Our efforts allowed us to do what we did in the second half,” coach Orchard said. “We knew they were going to tire, and we did it!”
The fact that College didn’t score more than 10 points in the second half – two tries – was tribute to the Griffins’ stubborn defence and an off-day with the boot for Luc du Toit.
College chose to kick penalties at goal on a couple of occasions and that was testament to Westville’s gritty tackling. Usually, College would kick for touch and try to maul over for a try. On Reunion Day, though, the result was of primary importance, so kicks were in order.
Disappointed
Westville coach Njabulo “Jabz” Zulu was disappointed because he felt his side was poor tactically, and he was a bit down on their defence, which had been a strength in the early part of the season.
“Over the last two games we’ve conceded 40 points,” he said, referring to the previous weekend’s 31-43 loss to Jeppe and the Maritzburg College defeat. Clarifying, he added: “College missed so many, it should have been 40. I’ve got to fix the defence. We’re leaking too many tries. We’re not aggressive enough getting off the line. And we’re getting dominated in the collisions.”
That summary would likely have pleased College’s Tim Orchard because, as he told Pinnacle Schools: “In the week, we worked hard on blunting their attack, getting in their faces. We know they play deep, so we worked to shut their steppers down, and tackle them out of the game.”
Westville’s defence didn’t work to the satisfaction of their coach, while College’s worked to the satisfaction of their coach. That, in a nutshell, explains why the home team came away with the win.
Centre Likhona Finca, as he has been all season, was a standout for Westville, and made two scintillating breaks. He’s a complete midfielder.
Electric
On the College side, fullback Luyanda Kunene was superb on the counter-attack. He’s electric. Every time he touches the ball, it feels as if he could manufacture something special, and he often does.
Alongside him, left-wing Colm Reardon continued his fine try-scoring form. College has enjoyed the services of some fine finishers over the years, and he’s running in tries in that rich tradition.
There were a few moments in the game that might have changed its course, if not the outcome. Westville crossed for a try right on half-time, scored by Caleb Dreydon, to reduce the deficit to 8-17, but the conversion attempt by Speedy Ramaloko, which would have made it a one-score game, hit the post and stayed out.
While they were made to work hard, College had matters under control and their second half tries by Kadira and Reardon gave them some breathing room, plus plenty for their supporters to cheer.
They’re an impressive side and one cannot but think ahead to their forthcoming meeting with Hilton College, who have also been enjoying a solid season. It should be a cracker.
Leave it to Westville coach Jabz Zulu to summarise why College won, though. “They’re a good team, well drilled, some big boys in their team, and that carried them over the line,” he said. Fair comment.
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