Highlanders clinch win over gutsy Sentraal

Winning has been the name of the game for Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders over the past two weeks.

Enjoying a good run of form, the local club’s 1A and 1B teams clinched victory over Sentraal on Saturday in Dundee (40-20) and at home last Friday night (42-17) respectively.

It was no easy win for Highlanders on Saturday, with a fire-up Sentraal playing with its all.

Despite a 15-14 lead at the half-time break, however, Sentraal was eventually held aside by a Highlanders side who used a pep talk from head coach, Andre Swanepoel to get its act together.

Once again, lock and interim captain, Robert Everson dominated the lineout phases.

The clean ball he consistently won for his side and the pressure placed on Sentraal, allowed players such as Ruan Burr-Dixon (openside flanker) to gain good metres into opposition territory.

Prop, Christopher Mortassange knuckled down in the scrums and also carried the ball well.

Although Highlanders boasts a backline packed with speedy players, inability to get going and resolute defence from Sentraal meant the backs killed their own space with too much drifting.

Later in the game, cut-out passes worked well for the local side.

“Once the gaps were taken, the pace was too much for Sentraal, and three good backline tries were scored,” Mr Swanepoel explained.

Wandile Nkosi at flyhalf was the pick of the backs, and also received the Man of the Match award.

Points:

Tries: Wandile Nkosi – one; Gift Mabaso (inside centre) – one; Ayanda Ndlela (wing) – one; Innis Visser (eighth man) – two; Burr-Dixon – two.

Kicks: Morne Hatting (fullback) – five conversions.

One of Hatting’s kicks was disallowed because his allotted 90 seconds were up while waiting for a kicking tee.

The rub:

Highlanders 1A lead its pool with 1B in second position.

In the second division, Highlanders 2B enjoyed a massive 71-12 win over Mighty Buffaloes, and all Highlanders teams are in positions one and two in their pools.