Green Machine fall agonisingly short in Rustenburg defeat

Glenwood High School up against Hoerskool Rustenburg in a rugby match at Glenwood High School on Saturday. Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers.

Glenwood High School up against Hoerskool Rustenburg in a rugby match at Glenwood High School on Saturday. Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers.

Published Jul 19, 2024

Share

Durban — Glenwood’s Green Machine came agonisingly close to kicking off the term on a winning note, but they lost 24-27 with the last kick of the game to visitors Hoërskool Rustenburg.

Hoërskool Rustenburg principal Hennie Pieterse thanked Glenwood for hosting them. It was the second year in a row that they played each other in Durban. He said the competition between both schools was extremely high and competitive.

“We are glad with our performance and results today as we’ve won three out of four games. I am proud of my school and proud of the boys,” he said.

Pieterse said the team that lost – the under-15s – held themselves well despite playing against one of the top under-15 sides in the country.

Glenwood High School up against Hoerskool Rustenburg in a rugby match at Glenwood High School on Saturday. Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers

Glenwood High School director of rugby Derek Heiberg praised his side’s performance despite a narrow 3-point loss.

“To lose like this is never nice, but I am proud of my team and their effort,” he said.

Heiberg said his side started very slowly and found themselves chasing for the majority of the game. At the end of the first half, they had a 10-point deficit.

He said the second half was a complete domination by his side, but they failed to capitalise on their created chances. They managed to keep the visitors scoreless for the whole half until the last play when the visitors were given a penalty – which they converted and won 24-27.

He said his side had been continually improving despite results not going their way, but they would regroup for two weeks before playing Northwood High School.

He thanked the supporters for showing up, especially given it wasn’t a compulsory game for the entire school.

Glenwood winger Lesedi Khumalo said both sides were good and that despite the tough season, he was happy with the team’s effort during the game.

He said that to lose in that manner was tough, especially at home and in front of the home crowd.

Khumalo said most of the side was young and that this season was a build-up for 2025.

RESULTS (GLENWOOD SCORE FIRST):

  • First XV: 24-27
  • 16A: 24-27
  • 15A: 21-0
  • 14A: 10-15

WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.

Daily News