Dale run riot against Wynberg
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:45
On the charge: A Dale player races clear. Pic: livemoments.co.za
Dale College produced a fine display of running rugby to beat a more fancied Wynberg side 40-26, in a breathtaking match on day three of the Cape Schools Week at SACS on Wednesday.
The match began at a high-tempo, both teams testing out the other's defence with hard running and quick passing. Wynberg had the first scoring opportunity and the forwards bashed the ball up close to Dale's line, but they couldn't break down a resolute Dale defensive unit.
The Eastern Cape outfit put themselves under unnecessary pressure by trying to run their way out of trouble rather than clearing the ball, and Wynberg threatened again. But Dale were desperate in their defence of their line and managed to weather the early storm despite being dominated at ruck time.
The Dale attack was not well executed to begin with, mistimed passing and running lines spoiling the little ball they had in the first half. The Dale backs tried to run from everywhere, but they could do little on the wrong half of the field. Eventually, the Wynberg pack's superiority told; eighthman Grant Edmeades going over after a well-executed maul. The teams entered the change room at 5-0 to Wynberg. The tight, error-ridden first half gave little indication of the free-scoring exhibition that was to follow.
Dale came out firing after the break and scored quickly after a blistering counter-attack from deep ended with their No.14 flyer, Yamkela Ngam, crossing the line for a superb try after some amazing offloads by the Dale boys. Dale had showed glimpses of their counter-attacking ability earlier in the tournament, but had often been let down by poor finishing. This score seemed to flick a switch among the players, who delighted the crowd from then on with a mesmerising try-feast.
Holes in the Wynberg defence started to appear and Dale attacked with purpose; the forwards supporting the pacey backline with good, clean ball. Eighthman Lubahalo Mtembu - a colossus at the back of the scrum - terrorised the Wynberg defenders with his pace and power and he was unstoppable from ten metres out to crash over for the first of his three tries. The pack took the fight to the Wynberg forwards, and where before the attack was rushed and sloppy; it became structured and patient. They sucked in the Wynberg defence, before unleashing the pace and skill of the backline to strike out wide.
Wynberg gained some ground back with another try to Edmeades, but it wasn't enough to halt Dale's rampage. The dangerous backline continued to make ground with their speed and elusive running and Mtembu was explosive every time he touched the ball, smashing his way through and over defenders with ease.
The forwards' and backs combined beautifully, with burly prop Luvuyo Kama showing some silky handling skills with a clever inside ball for Mtembu to score. The interplay was sensational and confidence oozed from each movement. Ngam's finishing was lethal, adding a further two tries to join Mtembu with a hat-trick of his own.
To their credit, Wynberg made late a comeback to make the scoreline respectable, but in truth they had little answer to an inspired Dale side, who put in a spectacular performance that was a credit to schoolboy rugby in the Eastern Cape.
Dale vs Wynberg, 40-26
Scorers:
For Dale:
Tries: Ngam 3, Mtembu 3
Cons: Kobese 5
For Wynberg:
Tries: Edmeades 2, Williams, Katzen
Cons: Frylinck 3
Teams:
Dale: 15 Ayabonga Mosiba, 14 Yamkela Ngam, 13 Siyamthanda Gushelo, 12 Andile Jho, 11 Lutho Mgedezi, 10 Jerry Nqolo, 9 Bugi Kobese, 8 Lubahalo Mtembu, 7 Cody Basson, 6 Anelisiwe Mntambo, 5 Jason Bucholtz, 4 Sinjin Greyvenstein, 3 Luvuyo Kama, 2 Andile Makinana, 1 Lindile Ngudle
Replacements: 16 Lutho Gwangwana, 17 Asekhona Ngeno, 18 Lifa Ghana, 19 Kosila Moyisi, 20 Olunje Gwanmi, 21 Sawa Time, 22 Siyamamele Msutuwana
Wynberg:15 Dylan Sage, 14 Darren Sampson, 13 Sikho Camagu, 12 Ashbey Williams, 11 Rameesh Mentor, 10 Dylan Frylinck, 9 Jonathan Halliday, 8 Grant Edmeades, 7 Alistair Mulholland, 6 Josh Katzen, 5 Devin Cunningham, 4 Russell Steyn, 3 Chris Graham, 2 Nick Mitchell, 1 Kyle Clark Replacements: 16 Butler Dube, 17 Tjino Tjirare, 18 Umer Salie, 19 Ryan Lok, 20 Lwandile Sompontsha , 21 Ayanda Hess, 22 Craig Munro
By Tim Human
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