DHS U18 Sevens team made their way up to PMB last Saturday to take part in the Skonk Nicholson’s Sevens Rugby Tournament at Maritzburg College. After last year’s below par performance the team was keen to right some wrongs.
The team started brightly, earning a well deserved 33-19 victory over the up and coming Voortrekker team. With Howard Noble putting the team through some gruelling defence sessions, it clearly was beginning to show. They followed that game up with a commanding performance against the Kearsney team, running away 47-15.
Even without their SA “A” U18 star, Sanele Nohamba, DHS looked imperious, providing the spectators with some dazzling tries to add to their gritty determination. The Quarter Finals proved to be more of the same as DHS triumphed over Hilton 52-12 setting up an exciting encounter against Michaelhouse in the semi-final.
Having lost narrowly to House at the Clifton tournament, the game was to be contested by two very good teams who play very different brands of rugby. The game itself was nerve wracking but DHS scraped home with a hard fought 21-19 win. Having to defend for large parts of the game, the Horseflies showed great character to come away with a valuable win to take them to the final to be played against College.
The final against the old foe was a tightly contested affair, with the scores in favour of College 15-14 at Half time. After a few instructions from the coaches, DHS produced arguably their most complete half of Sevens Rugby. Their fitness superior to their counterparts, DHS were able to run away with the game winning eventually 47-15.
The Skonk Nicholson trophy proudly sits in the Head Master’s office in Durban, a fitting tribute to the relationship “Skonk” had between the both schools.
Scott Mathie
Head of Rugby
