Ballito Dolphins set for good season after powerful performance in opening league game
Although there was a huge difference in the size of the packs, the Dolphins were able to draw on their pre-season gym regime to stay the course and record a 15-0 victory.
The Ballito Dolphins rugby team got off to a flying start in their season opener in the KZN Rugby Union First Division Southern league last weekend.
The team travelled to Berea to take on powerful Jaguars RFC, known for their particularly strong forward pack.
“You could see the hard yards in action and after wearing the Jaguars down, we were able to establish set piece dominance. A mix of youth and experience proved to be a successful formula, with Wandile Kushu having a massive impact and Muzi Luthuli playing a captain’s game,” said Dolphins chairman, Mark Svenningsen.
The Dolphins forwards made the difference throughout the game, with another youngster, Kean de la Hunt-James, claiming the RocoMamas Forwards Man of the Match prize.
The strong platform created up front allowed the backline to play an expansive game, which produced two well-worked tries.
Joné Jansen and Jared Stanford both crossed the whitewash, but it was outside centre Grove Akker who earned the Backline Man of the Match award.
The Dolphins play their first home game of the season at Maidstone on May 21.
Not to be outshone by the seniors, Ballito Dolphins’ future stars also made an impact in a tournament at King’s Park.
There was a near clean sweep of victories from the U7, U8, U9 and U11 teams.
The U7s won comfortably against Westville (40-15) and Harlequins (50-0) before holding out in a tight game against Collegians (30-20).
After an early morning routing of Hillcrest from the U8s (70-10), the team were pushed to the end by Crusaders (10-5) and Westville (15-0).
The U9 team also took three from three, beating Harlequins 30-0, Collegians 30-15 and Hillcrest 10-5.
The U11s – who played a full game with contested scrums and lineouts – were beaten by a strong Collegians team (0-49).
Nevertheless, it capped a weekend of great rugby for the Ballito Dolphins teams at all levels, showing the level of talent on the North Coast.
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