‘Muddy’ good start for Southern KZN
Despite missing some key players, the locals secured a resounding victory.
AT one point, very early on, there was cause for some alarm for the home team supporters in Southern KwaZulu-Natal’s sub-union rugby game against the Zululand Rhinos.
It was the first of three games to be played by Southern KZN in their defence of the Ebbo Bastard Trophy sub-union competition.
The field at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground was soggy after morning storms and the weather initially a touch chilly, but the sun did eventually sneak a peek for a while.
The local team took an early lead with a penalty.
But then the Rhinos reacted as if someone had lit a bush fire that needed to be stomped out, scoring two tries in pretty quick succession, both dotted down by their left wing.
When the Rhinos flyer took off down the touchline he raced past a bunch of local supporters.
Among them were Dougie Haralambous (president of Southern KZN) and Hylton McGarr, two dyed-in-the-wool rugby men.
Dougie had his head in his hands. Kind of. “They have some big boys,” he noted. But he needn’t have worried.
Southern KZN soon found their groove, in a big way. They put together some electric moves to score three tries in the blink of an eye.
The Rhinos were clearly rattled. “Stop with the handbags boys, play the ball not the man,” was one comment overheard after they gathered behind the poles.
The second half was a bit calmer, but Southern KZN held the hammer down without mercy. The final score was 39-12.
“I thought that the side did very well despite the slow start which I believe was due to the fact that we only got together for one light practice on the Friday evening before the game,” said Dougie.
“One of the challenges that we are faced with is the vast area that we have to pick players from. However, the team spirit that exists between these young men plays a major part in the success of the team. They showed a lot of character having to come back from a 12-3 deficit to win 39-12 and not allow the opposition to score a single point in the second half,” he added.
Stand-in captain Theo Nicholls did a good job on the day. Although not a man of many words he is a natural leader and a player who likes to lead by his actions.
Gary Dunstone had a top game and was named man of the match. He certainly had his ‘golden’ boot on.
Gary usually plays second side for Warriors but due to a lack of available centres (and kickers) was roped in.
Man of the match awards went to Gary (backs) and Brian Rawlins (forwards) who plays for Matatiele.
Southern KZN play against Durban sub-union at Kokstad this Saturday, with kickoff at 3pm.
The following week it’s off to Newcastle to play Northern KZN.
Five regular Warriors are playing for the Wildebeest Rural team in Kimberley, namely Juan van den Berg, Chris Mitchell, Tian Malherbe, Tienie Viljoen and Lourens Stapelberg.
They will be back for the next game.
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