Highlanders through to Junior Murray Cup semi-finals

The Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders put in a near perfect performance during a victory over Piet Retief last weekend, in a Junior Murray Cup clash.

Highlanders scored eight tries in what was a runaway 54 – 10 victory over the visiting side, at the Ferrum High School fields on Saturday.

Piet Retief started off well, scoring an early penalty to get the score board ticking. A try by the Highlanders’ fly-half, Wandile Nkosi, put the home team in the lead, where they stayed for the remainder of the match.

The visitors scored their only try for the game shortly thereafter. However, two more tries put Highlanders in the lead 23 – 10 going into half time.

During the second half, Piet Retief had no answer to the onslaught from the Highlanders.

“It was a superb display of running, scrumming, mauling and lineout work,” said coach, Andrè Swanepoel.

The Newcastle side’s good season continues, as the team moves from strength to strength. On Saturday, August 23, Highlanders will face Empangeni in a semi final of the Junior Murray Cup. The game will be a dress rehearsal for the Promotion Relegation game, as the two sides will again clash late in September for a spot in the premium division.

Pumlani Mbatha (No 14) and Wandile Nkosi (No 10) put in stellar performances in the back line, while Robert Everson (No 5), Andrè Fourie (No 7) and Wandile Sibiya (No 4) had a big impact among the forwards.

“The team is well balanced, and every player is doing the job expected of them,” said Mr Swanepoel. “The most positive thing is the depth we have now. This is by far the best season since 2002 for the Highlanders.”

Robert Everson, Errit Visser, Mornè Pretorius, Max Mkhize, Drikus Fourie and Pumlani Mbatha scored a try each, while Wandile Nkosi scored two tries. Mornè Hattingh was again consistent with the boot, scoring a total of 13 points from three penalties and two conversions.