Someone watching the St Dunstan’s College (SDC) vs Thomas More College (TMC) match on April 19 reckoned the SDC first XV have got rhinoceros skin; that they are masters of composure and that even when subjected to heavy defeats at home, they don’t care what people say about them.

Another said back home in Zimbabwe, when a team is behind by 50 points, they game is called off. Perhaps, he was suggesting that SDC throw in the towel because at that point, they were 22-0 behind and never looked like scoring.

SDC was eventually outplayed 34-0, following a 64-6 loss to Ashton Ballito on April 17. But chances of people’s negative sentiments getting to the players’ minds seem to be somewhere between slim and zero.

While not a polished outfit, what they lacked in accuracy and flair, they made up for in guts. They are fighters and such David vs Goliath encounters bring the best out of them. They fought TMC until the final buzzer, pulling off thumping tackles while launching attacks of their own, attempting to register some points.

Though, TMC scored six unanswered tries, SDC should be commended for their gallant fight because had it not been for their guts, the score could have been worse.

Tahyesh Naidoo opened the scoring in the sixth minute after pouncing on a loose throw in to go over near the posts. Afterwards, they continued to build patiently, going through different phases and their persistence was rewarded in the 16^th minute when James Evans doubled their advantage.

Credit to SDC for their self-belief, they finally made it to their opposition’s half after 17 minutes of defending, and spent over five minutes knocking. But the TMC defenders stood resolute and survived SDC’s 11-phase onslaught.

Once they were out of the stranglehold, TMC started making inroads of their own and it wasn’t long before Cullen Rush and Luke Pepper added their third and fourth touchdowns late in the first half, as they went into the break leading 22-0.

Early in the second half, it seemed SDC would finally register some points but their advances were easily dealt with.

It got worse for them when Rueben Tesselaar touched down for TMC in the 57^th minute. And Evans grabbed his brace and TMC’s sixth try late on, helping his team to a dominant 34-0 win.

SDC may be the whipping boys of this competition; they are improving as a team. And if their never-die attitude is anything to go by, they are the biggest winners of the festival because of their sportsmanship.

They may have lost points on the field, but they won hearts off it.

They will try to grab a consolation win when they take on the winless St David’s Marist Inanda seconds at 11:30 tomorrow.

Also Read: CAXTON SCHOOLS | Lomagundi and Helpmekaar thrill on day three of St Dunstan’s Easter Sport Fest

Also Read: CAXTON SCHOOLS | St Dom’s downs Steyn City in thriller