Highlanders get put into touch

In sport, it pays to take the good out of every loss.

Despite a 78-10 drubbing at the hands of College Rovers, Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders head coach, Andre Swanepoel said there were many positives to consider.

“Our scrums and line-outs were good. The team played positively, and never gave up.”

It would always be a tough task for the local side, facing a team which has successfully clinched the Community Cup and established itself in the club rugby annals.

Yet even 60 points down, Highlanders refused to roll over.

For the most part of Saturday’s encounter in the Premier Division, Mr Swanepoel’s men chased the game, still mustering two tries against a Rovers side brimming with talent.

Otherwise, Highlanders was under the hammer from minute one.

In the gruelling first half, Rovers delivered on expectations, capitalising on frequent errors to move into a commanding 47-0 lead at half time.

“Chances were slim for the local team,” one fan explained.

Those few opportunities which did present themselves, in the first 40 minutes at least, were ruined by handling errors or poor tactical kicking.

By comparison, the second half was a different game entirely.

A half time pep talk by Mr Swanepoel did the trick for Highlanders, and they entered the latter portion of the match with renewed spirit and more aggression.

Coupled with grubbers and touch-finding kicks, the locals were threatening.

Working from a set piece, Highlanders came close to its first score from a rolling maul, but Rovers forced play beyond the touch line.

Brilliant countering saw the visitors extend its lead to 54-0.

“In this game, Errit Visser proved his worth as eighth man, doubling up frequently on attack and defence. He is a tough man to bring down.”

But his best efforts could not halt another turnover try by Rovers.

Shearing through the defensive line through a Highlanders error, the visitors crossed the line and converted, for another seven points to its tally.

This was repeated less than two minutes later.

Highlanders scrumhalf, ‘Piglet’ Zulu desperately defended his team’s feed into the scrum, but monstrous pressure buckled the forward pack.

Rovers pounced on the loose ball, and passed to the wing for the try.

“This was the tipping point of the match, when Rovers missed the conversion.”

A galvanised Highlanders, perhaps seeing Rovers finally make a mistake, responded with bruising play up the middle of the field.

Suddenly shifting play allowed left wing, Alex Booysen to cut in for an unconverted try.

With the clock winding down, Highlanders upped its intensity again, and came within inches short of a try from right wing, Brian Buthelezi.

This back and forth action built throughout the final quarter.

It seemed Highlanders was in the ascendancy, but gifted Rovers with five points after a kick to the corner was horribly butchered.

Rovers won the scrum and used its forwards to bundle the ball across the whitewash.

“The score was 71-5, but it was not all over just yet.”

Well ahead in the number of scrums won, Rovers made a fatal error on defence, ultimately forcing a set piece in favour of Highlanders.

A 50-50 chip kick was enough of a chance for Janri Barnard to slip over the line.

The game drew to a close with a final try by Rovers – two Highlanders players missed fielding a kick-off, and the loose ball played right into the visitors’ hands.

At the end-game whistle, the score stood at 78-10 in favour of Rovers.

While Highlanders’ fortunes thus far have been scant, the team believes strongly in a win against Zululand Rhinos on Saturday at home.

“We are targeting this one to win.”

The under-20 side is also in action against Durban Collegians this weekend – all support from the local community will be greatly appreciated.