Clinical Comets claim first home win
The Comets scored six tries in the game, with four coming in the second half.
THE IIE’s Varsity College’s FNB Varsity College Comets began their FNB Varsity Shield rugby campaign with a bang on Friday night as they beat FNB Madibaz 40-14.
Playing in front of their home crowd in Durban North the Comets scored six tries, four in the second half.
Jacques Marais scored a brace for the Comets while Chandler Green, Jono Horak, Danie van Huizen and captain Abande Mthembu scored one each.
Speaking to Northglen News, both Mthembu, known as AB to his teammates, and head coach Jeremy McLaren, expressed their delight after winning their first game of the campaign.
“The experience of last year making it all the way to the final has stood us in good stead. The experience was great and the players are eager for more. It was our first time playing in the Varsity Shield but as a team, we’ve set our expectations high. We were extremely pleased to start the competition off with a win and we hope to continue our form in the next game,” Mthembu explained.
The scrumhalf added that the competition also helps players with big match temperament.
“The level of competitiveness builds you as a player. You’re surrounded by bigger crowds with a bigger atmosphere so it helps players deal with big match temperaments. The Varsity Shield has certainly taught me how to deal with pressure and to control your emotions,” he said.
McLaren added that the team’s blend of new and experienced players has worked in their favour.
“There has been good energy and a lot of excitement around the team. We’ve had some new players come and they have settled in well. It’s amazing how the more senior guys have made the new guys feel welcome in the set-up and we’re looking forward to the season ahead. Any coach will tell you it would be beautiful to reach the summit again as we did last year but we are taking it one game at a time. We just have to control the controllables,” he said.
Their next clash will be against FNB UWC at the IIE’s Varsity College Durban North on Friday, February 21.
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