DURBAN HIGH SCHOOL 39-27 HELPMEKAAR KOLLEGE
Aiming for a perfect record for a third year on the trot, Durban High School (DHS) faced a tough last outing, taking on Helpmekaar Kollege in the second-last match of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival on Stott Field on Monday afternoon.
The Horseflies’ intent and intensity were clear from the first whistle, and they powered over from a lineout in the third minute, with hooker Iglisias Bruiners crashing to the ground for the five-pointer.
They had two tries by the fifth minute, thanks to their swift movement of the ball after they turned over possession in Helpmekaar’s half. Centre Nathan Aneke received the ball in space on the left, and the SA Schools’ midfielder outstripped the nearest defender, accelerating through an outside gap to make the dive for five.
It was a blistering start from coach Peter Engledow’s charges, with the only off note Tanwil Onkers’ two hooked conversion attempts.
Aneke was next on hand to make the final pass, which put Richard Gyamfi in for a third DHS try in the 12th minute as School’s direct, cohesive approach paid rich dividends. Helpies were continually forced to scramble in defence, and DHS then hit them by quickly moving the ball away from the point of contact.
Helpmekaar, at last, had an opportunity to respond when they won a free kick from a scrum on the DHS 22. They made it count, taking the ball through a number of hard-hitting phases before releasing left-wing Zuan Krige, who crossed for a try in the corner.
Having scored, Helpies had gained a foothold in the previously one-sided contest, and for the next while play took place in the DHS half, with the Johannesburg side enjoying most of the possession. After the sizzling DHS start, it was a major shift in momentum.
Helpmekaar tested the Durban boys by stretching play out wide, but the trademark rapacious Horseflies’ defence stood firm. They couldn’t keep Helpmekaar out, though, from a five-metre lineout, and Xander Jackson forced his way over shortly before the break.
However, that try served to loosen the shackles, and a searing break from DHS scrumhalf Richard Kriel blew a big hole in the Helpmekaar defence. Richard Gyamfi, running a tight supporting line, took the final pass off his left shoulder and dragged a tackler over the line to score DHS’s fourth try.
Tanwil Onkers knocked over the conversion from just left of the posts, and DHS led 22-10 at halftime.
The KZN boys were back on the attack early in the second stanza, with a fierce counter-ruck winning them possession, which they turned into a penalty five metres from the Helpmekaar try line. Their livewire scrumhalf Richard Kriel, alertly, took a quick tap, then slipped beneath two tacklers to add to his team’s advantage.
The Helpies’ response was admirable. They forced DHS onto the back foot, maintaining possession and probing, forcing the locals to make tackle after tackle, but when Helpmekaar turned over possession, School made them pay.
First, they cleared their 22 with a long clearance kick. Then a good chase won them possession, and a beautifully judged kick over the top from Kriel sat up kindly for Nathan Aneke, who gratefully accepted the gift and sprinted clear for DHS’s sixth try and his second.
A change of kicker to Cilermo Carolus brought School another two points, putting them 34-10 ahead.
Unbowed, Helpmekaar replied quickly through Zuan Krige, who hit the gas and scored his second in the left-hand corner after being put into space. Ethan Kruger nailed the conversion kick.
With just over 10 minutes to go, DHS captain and flank, Zion Smith, his head covered in a bandage, brought the crowd to its feet when he returned a clearing kick with a determined run from the halfway line, tearing through the Helpies’ defence with impressive speed.
It was thrill-a-minute stuff, with both sides contributing.
Helpmekaar was not done, either, and they turned pressure into points with a sumptuous dummy from hooker Daniël van der Linden unlocking the DHS once more. That made it 39-22.
The outcome was pretty much confirmed, but the final score was not, and the boys in brown surged back onto the offensive. Their bravery and spirit were rewarded with a try from Daylan Ferreira in the game’s last movement.
A final score of 39-27 was a testament to their outstanding effort but also a reasonable reflection of DHS’s slight superiority.
Scores
DHS (22) – Tries: Richard Gyamfi (2), Nathan Aneke (2), Iglisias Bruiners, Richard Kriel, Zion Smith. Conversions: Tanwil Onkers, Cilermo Carolus
Helpmekaar (10) – Tries: Zuan Krige (2), Xander Jackson, Daniël van der Linden, Daylan Ferreira. Conversion: Ethan Kruger
Photographer: Gabrielle Swanepoel
