12 August 2023
It hurts for a team that comes out on the wrong side of a result but, objectively, one of the joys of sport occurs when the underdog upsets the favourite, and that’s exactly what happened on Dixon’s on Saturday when Glenwood scored a last gasp try, in the final movement of the game, to steal a memorable 27-24 victory over Maritzburg College.
College had won 42-15 the first time the teams met on Goldstones earlier this season, but on Saturday, in the last match for both schools in 2023, and the last match for the boys in matric, it was the Green Machine who manufactured an outstanding turnaround. Truth be told, there was nothing lucky about it, either.
“Sport is about small margins. We weren’t really far off in the first game. The score was rather inflated,” Glenwood coach Derek Heiberg told Pinnacle Schools afterwards.
“We knew what they were going to bring. They’re a quality side. They’re very well coached. [The first time] we made too many mistakes. We made it difficult for ourselves. But we’re really happy that our boys showed what they’re capable of.”
He added: “It’s amazing. We probably lost too many games that we shouldn’t have lost this year. We have taken a bit of flak, and I understand that comes with the job, but hopefully this provides some nice vindication for the boys.”
After a cagey opening, it took 16 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with College going ahead following a long-distance maul, which put them in for five points. A successful conversion extended their lead to seven.
Glenwood, though, were next on the board, levelling matters in the 26th minute after an extended siege inside the College 22.
Quick strike after half-time
It was 7-7 at the break. Then, the Green Machine hit the front, just a minute into the second stanza, with scrumhalf Tyrique Hartnick diving over for a fine score after a sharp counter-attack down the right flank.
Flyhalf Luc do Toit brought the visitors to within two points with a penalty, and College made it a quick one-two punch when they cleverly exploited the blind side to add a try wide on the right minutes later. With Du Toit adding the extras, College were 17-12 in front.
A real arm-wrestle
But Glenwood, as they did so impressively throughout the contest, immediately responded, forcing Sasha Kadira and his team back into their own half. It was a real arm-wrestle, and it took the Green Machine some time to be rewarded for the pressure they exerted. Eventually, though, in the 59th minute, Chijundu Okonta was put into the clear and he was over in the right-hand corner.
The conversion attempt didn’t quite have the legs it needed, and the teams were locked at 17-17.
Good team that they are, College, after being awarded a penalty, kicked the ball deep into touch in the Glenwood 22, and then executed a rolling maul well to crash over for another five-pointer, which put them in front again. Du Toit’s accurate boot made it 24-17.
The Green Machine refused to go away, however, and with a minute-and-half remaining they struck back with a try of their own. But when the conversion attempt failed to land, it looked as if College would walk away with a two-point win. Glenwood, though, hadn’t conceded anything. They were in it to the end.
Winning movement
Then, from a lineout on the halfway line, the home team set up a ruck 15 metres in. Scrumhalf Hartnick fed the backline and some good dummy running lines drew in the College defenders.
Suddenly, Glenwood had a two-man overlap. Jaco Williams charged forward towards the last defender, drew him, and then released Chijundu Okonta to score the winning points in front of the green mass of Glenwood schoolboys on the stands, which soon emptied.
“It was a well-worked try. I actually pictured me scoring the winning try before the game,” Okonta said. “It was our last game, and it was what I wanted to happen.”
Victory secured
The final whistle hadn’t sounded yet, but the Glenwood players and their supporters embraced, secure in the knowledge that the game was won. The conversion was wide, but it didn’t matter. The Green Machine had scored their best win of the season. That it had come in the last game of 2023 made it all the sweeter.
Keagan Goosen, one of Glenwood’s standout players throughout the season, said the green wave that engulfed the players was “the most magical thing I have felt and seen in my life. I have never experienced something like that. It was truly the best moment of my life.”
Coach Derek Heiberg summarised his charges’ performance: “As a coach, all you want is for the guys to implement what you ask them to do. I thought we did that, and with the commitment that they showed, they’ve done their families, their school and themselves proud.
“They managed to turn around the Northwood result, and they managed to turn this one around at home. It’s amazing.”
Big first half takes Glenwood to win at Northwood | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com)
On College’s loss…
Just one final word on Maritzburg College. They weren’t at their best, but Glenwood, no doubt, had plenty to do with that.
There was bitter disappointment on the faces of some of the College players. For the grade 12s, it was a defeat in their last outing for the school. But they lost with dignity and class, exhibiting the character and level-headed leadership that had helped them put together an exciting season.
It was a loss on the day, but an exciting first year under the stewardship of Director of Rugby Hendré Marnitz. The firm belief in the College community is that even better days lie ahead for the red, black and white.
RESULTS
1st: Glenwood 27-24 Maritzburg College
2nd: Glenwood 22-8 Maritzburg College
3rd: Glenwood 29-29 Maritzburg College
4th: Glenwood 5-28 Maritzburg College
5th: Glenwood 12-38 Maritzburg College
6th: Glenwood 5-41 Maritzburg College
7th: Glenwood 0-38 Maritzburg College
16A: Glenwood 10-21 Maritzburg College
16C: Glenwood 7-33 Maritzburg College
16D: Glenwood 0-45 Maritzburg College
15A: Glenwood 7-7 Maritzburg College
15B: Glenwood 0-24 Maritzburg College
15C: Glenwood 0-34 Maritzburg College
15D: Glenwood 0-58 Maritzburg College
14A: Glenwood 19-23 Maritzburg College
14B: Glenwood 17-12 Maritzburg College
14C: Glenwood 12-26 Maritzburg College
14D: Glenwood 12-37 Maritzburg College
14E: Glenwood 5-17 Maritzburg College
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