Happy Itembelihle beat Hawston
Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:29
Itembelihle celebrate their deserved victory
Itembelihle defeated Hawston High 35-25 in a pulsating game played at Framesby in Port Elizabeth in the final of Die Burger's competition for small schools.
Itembelihle won the toss and elected to play against the wind (knowing that it would become stronger!).
The visitors were first to score through a penalty to lead 3-0.
Itembelihle struck back with a Coyi Banda penalty. The opposition ran the ball from everywhere on the field and were dangerous every time they touched the ball but stern defence kept them from scoring.
The Itembelihle forwards took early control of the game, especially No.8, Xolile Mange, lock Gifti Magenuka and prop Tiny Maswana It took two to three defenders at a time to stop them. Banda was brilliant at flyhalf with his distribution of the ball. Flank Sihle Mngautwa took early control of the line-outs and Itembelihle had surfeit of possession from this facet.
Itembelihle's first try came after a strong break from wing Falakhe and when he was stopped the ball went out to Mange who powered over for a try next to the poles. Banda converted.
Further pressure from the kick off resulted in a penalty which Banda converted.
In the second half Itembelihle kept on taking the ball up with their forwards and from a maul from a line-out close to the opposition line, flank Mngautwa dotted down for a converted try. Itembelihle followed this up with a strong maul from a penalty close to the opposition line for No.8 Mange to score his second try, Banda converted and added a further penalty.
Itembelihle kept on attacking and lock Magenuka went on a bullocking run from the half-way line. Itembelihle retained the ball through several phases, before scrumhalf, Manezi Mtati, who had a great game, broke blind to feed wing Falakhe who dived over in the corner for an unconverted try. Itembelihle then put on all their substitutes with about 10 minutes remaining and leading 35-3.
With strong men Magenuka and Mange off the field the visitors came back strongly to score four excellent tries in 10 minutes, absolutely throwing caution to the wind and playing Sevens rugby, but all in vain as Itembelihle triumphed to win the tournament for the third time For Itembelihle, Mange, Magenuka and scrumhalf Mtati, were outstanding.
The Itembelihle Under-17 side, who make up half of the first team, will now travel to Margate this weekend to take part in the KwaZulu-Natal Under-17 talent identification tournament, while the Sevens side will take part in the @lantic Sevens in Uitenhage. Then the first team will play in the annual Peter Mkata tournament and end the year off with the annual Dennis Botha Top 16 competition in East London from September 29 to October 1.
By Theo Pieterse
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